The second three‑day workshop within the GIFTSnet project, titled “Sustainable Reuse of Cultural Heritage Infrastructure”, was held at the St. John’s Fortress Educational Campus in Šibenik from 23 to 25 March 2026. The workshop was organized by the International Cooperation and Projects Department of the Šibenik Fortress of Culture.
Continuing the Educational Cycle
The workshop brought together experts and representatives from the public, cultural, tourism and civil sectors from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. It served as a continuation of the educational cycle launched with the first workshop, “Sustainable Event Management and Destination Management”, held in October 2025. That initial session addressed sustainable event planning, destination management practices and the introduction of green principles into the cultural and tourism sectors.
Focusing on Infrastructure and Practical Tools
Building on those foundations, the second workshop delved deeper into the infrastructural and operational dimensions of sustainability in cultural heritage management. The programme covered green public procurement in cultural institutions, including the preparation of tenders based on sustainability criteria; methods for measuring and interpreting the carbon footprint of cultural sites; and the planning of energy-efficient upgrades and restoration of heritage buildings.
Through hands‑on exercises, case study analysis, and the exchange of experiences, participants strengthened their skills and gained practical tools for implementing sustainable solutions within their own organizations and communities.
As part of the second day’s programme, participants also joined a guided professional tour of Šibenik’s historic city centre, providing concrete examples of sustainable heritage practices in an authentic urban environment.
International Participation and Knowledge Exchange
The workshop gathered participants from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Croatian representatives included members of the Šibenik Fortress of Culture, the City of Karlovac, Sports Facilities Karlovac, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, and the Ozalj Heritage Museum. Participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina represented the City of Banja Luka, the Banja Luka Tourist Organization, the Museum of the Republic of Srpska, the Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage, the Museum of Herzegovina in Trebinje, the Tourist Organization of Trebinje, the TREDEA Development Agency, and the civil society organization CORIE. Montenegro was represented by participants from the Municipalities of Bar and Ulcinj, along with members of the NGO sector, tourist guides, and private tourism and cultural businesses.
The workshop was led by Laura Orlić, a seasoned expert with extensive international experience in organizational development and sustainable practices in both the cultural and business sectors. Through an interactive methodology, she encouraged participants to apply newly acquired knowledge to practical scenarios and real‑world challenges. The workshop further strengthened international cooperation and laid the groundwork for the continued integration of green policies into the management of cultural heritage.
GIFTSnet Project Education Activities
The workshop was organized as part of the GIFTSnet – Network for Green and Inclusive Fortified Tourism Solutions – project, funded through the Interreg VI‑A IPA Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021–2027 Programme. Educational workshops such as this one are integral to the project’s efforts to build the capacities of cultural institutions and stakeholders in sustainable heritage and tourism management.
GIFTSnet connects partners from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro in developing sustainable models for managing cultural heritage and tourism. The project runs for 30 months, from 15 September 2024 to 14 March 2027, with a total budget of EUR 2,244,442.80. Alongside the Šibenik Fortress of Culture as the lead partner, the project includes the City of Banja Luka and the Museum of Herzegovina Trebinje from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the City of Karlovac from Croatia, and the Municipalities of Bar and Ulcinj from Montenegro.
