Fondazione Santagata launches the IX Edition of its Academy, set to take place between September and October 2025.
This year’s edition will feature an online intensive seminar and an in-person three-day workshop hosted in Sardinia, thanks to the generous support of GAL Sulcis.
- Applications by: 11:59 PM CET on 6 July 2025
- Warm up session: September 16th 2025
- In-person workshop (Sulcis, Sardinia): 7 – 9 October 2025
For more further information, contact us at: info@fondazionesantagata.it
Context
The Academy is a capacity-building programme launched in 2015 by Fondazione Santagata and the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe. Over the years, it has evolved to address the changing needs of cultural and natural heritage professionals worldwide. In 2025, the Academy takes on a broader perspective, reflected in its new name and focus: Academy on Cultural and Natural Sites as Drivers of Sustainability and Global Citizenship.
This edition marks a significant shift in scope, expanding beyond UNESCO-designated sites to include all cultural and natural heritage locations, acknowledging their vital role in tackling global challenges such as sustainability, resilience, and social cohesion. By embracing a more inclusive approach, the Academy aims to foster greater collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing among a wider array of stakeholders. The programme aligns with the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education (2024), promoting an integrated vision of heritage as a key driver of sustainable and equitable development.
Since its inception, the Academy has hosted eight international workshops, engaging over 185 professionals from 60 countries. The 2025 edition maintains its blended format, combining online talks with an on-site workshop in Sardinia, ensuring a rich, interactive learning experience that equips participants with practical tools and strategies for heritage management in diverse contexts.
Objectives
The Academy 2025 aims to:
- Highlight the role of cultural and natural heritage in fostering sustainability and global citizenship.
- Provide professionals with practical skills and interdisciplinary tools to manage heritage sites effectively.
- Encourage collaborative solutions that integrate heritage into strategies for environmental responsibility, economic development, and social inclusion.
- Promote lifelong learning, global networking, and the exchange of innovative practices.
Programme Structure
The Academy follows a blended learning approach, divided into two main phases:
1. Online Seminar
The preparatory phase includes an online intensive workshop led by international experts and case studies. This session introduces key themes, such as:
- Cultural landscapes and sustainability – Managing heritage landscapes for resilience.
- Intangible heritage and communities – Exploring craft skills, storytelling, and traditions.
- Safeguarding coastal heritage – Balancing conservation with economic opportunities.
- Cultural entrepreneurship – Leveraging heritage for sustainable businesses.
- Sustainable tourism – Developing community-driven models for long-term impact.
2. Three-Day On-Site Workshop in Sardinia
The in-person component takes place in the Sulcis region of Sardinia, a model for integrating cultural landscapes, intangible heritage, sustainability and communities participation and engagement. Participants will:
- Visit vineyards, historic sites, and marine heritage areas.
- Engage with local stakeholders, cultural institutions, and entrepreneurs.
- Participate in interactive challenges aligned with the Academy’s themes.
- Develop innovative solutions to real-world heritage management issues.
Challenges for Participants
The Academy includes a hands-on component where participants will work on specific challenges:
- #Challenge 1: Preserving and valuing cultural landscapes
- #Challenge 2: Safeguarding coastal and maritime heritage while promoting economic sustainability.
- #Challenge 3: Revitalizing intangible heritage through innovation.
- #Challenge 4: Developing cultural entrepreneurship linked to heritage conservation.
Participants will collaborate on solutions, present findings, and connect their experiences to broader global strategies for sustainable heritage management.
Application Criteria & Process
The 2025 edition of the Academy is open to 15-20 professionals from around the world.
The eligibility criteria for participants will include:
- Heritage site managers, policy-makers, and cultural operators.
- Academics, researchers, and students in heritage and sustainability fields.
- Local community leaders, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders working with cultural and natural heritage.
The selection process ensures diversity and expertise among participants, fostering a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.
Costs
Accommodation for the three-day on-site workshop will be provided by the organisers of the programme.
All other expenses, including travel costs, must be covered by the participants.
Contact information
For further inquiries, please contact: info@fondazionesantagata.it