From 2 to 5 June 2026, FORTE CULTURA will take part in the 13th Training Academy of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, taking place in Pécs, Hungary, and Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia.

The Training Academy is one of the key annual capacity-building moments of the Cultural Routes programme. It brings together representatives of certified and candidate routes, the European Institute of Cultural Routes, public institutions and local partners to exchange experiences, discuss common challenges and strengthen cooperation within the Cultural Routes framework.

The 2026 edition is dedicated to the theme “Shaping Confidence and Diversity”. Its programme focuses on current developments of the Cultural Routes programme, network management, representativeness of routes, youth participation, cooperation with universities, accessibility and inclusion, visibility, and sustainable tourism practices. Field visits in the Pécs–Osijek cross-border area will also show how cultural heritage can support regional development, hospitality and sustainable visitor experiences.

For FORTE CULTURA, participation in the Academy is particularly relevant at this stage. Our network is preparing its application for certification as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe and is working to strengthen its strategic structure, visibility and impact. The topics addressed by the Academy are closely linked to our current priorities: developing regional, cross-border and thematic clusters; creating sustainable cultural tourism products; improving youth and educational activities; reinforcing cooperation with universities and experts; and making the FORTE CULTURA identity more visible across member sites.

The Academy will also be an opportunity to learn from other Cultural Routes, compare practical solutions and build closer relations with the Cultural Routes community. For a route such as FORTE CULTURA, based on an “archipelago” of fortified sites across Europe, these exchanges are essential. They help us transform our shared heritage of fortifications — “from bastions to bunkers” — into a living European platform for culture, learning, dialogue and sustainable development. Participation in the Training Academy therefore represents another step in FORTE CULTURA’s path towards stronger European recognition and a more active contribution to the values of the Council of Europe.