CULTREK - Brainstorming

From virtual kick-off to fieldwork: the CULTREK project is moving forward

Ena Jakovac — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:10:47 +0000

Following its official launch and the successful online kick-off meeting, the CULTREK project has quickly entered its implementation phase. Over the past months, project partners have moved from strategic planning to practical collaboration, laying the foundations for the activities that will shape the project throughout the next 30 months.

A major milestone was the first in-person consortium meeting held in Asturias, Spain, where representatives of all partner organisations came together to define priorities, coordinate upcoming activities and strengthen international cooperation. Beyond the working sessions, the meeting provided an opportunity to visit local cultural heritage sites and explore examples of good practice that reflect the project’s vision of connecting culture, creativity and sustainable rural development.

During the meeting, partners reviewed the project work plan, discussed the implementation of the first work packages and agreed on common methodologies that will guide research and field activities in each participating country. These discussions established a shared understanding of the project’s objectives and ensured that activities would be implemented in a coordinated and consistent way across the consortium.

Since the kick-off meeting, work has continued at both international and local levels. Partners have begun preparing field activities, identifying local stakeholders and refining the research methodology that will support the documentation and interpretation of rural cultural heritage within the project’s pilot areas. These preparatory activities represent an important step towards engaging local communities in the next phase of the project.

At the same time, significant progress has been achieved in communication and dissemination. The official CULTREK website is now online, providing information about the project, its objectives, partnership and ongoing activities. Dedicated communication channels have also been established on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, creating a strong digital presence that will enable regular communication with stakeholders and the wider public throughout the project.

The launch of these platforms marks an important milestone for Work Package 6, ensuring that project news, photographs, videos and results will be openly accessible while encouraging dialogue with communities interested in culture, creativity and rural development.

As CULTREK continues to progress, the consortium is preparing for the next phase of implementation, which includes field research, stakeholder engagement and the collection of cultural heritage data in the pilot regions. These activities will form the basis for future artistic collaborations, educational initiatives and innovative approaches to safeguarding and promoting Europe’s rural cultural heritage.

The project has successfully moved from planning to action, and this is only the beginning. Over the coming months, CULTREK will continue sharing updates, stories and results that demonstrate how international cooperation can contribute to preserving cultural heritage while creating new opportunities for rural communities across Europe.

We invite everyone interested in culture, heritage and creativity to follow the project’s journey and stay connected through our official communication channels.

Follow the CULTREK Project

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Meet the CULTREK consortium: four partners, one shared vision for Europe’s rural cultural heritage

Ena Jakovac — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:04:21 +0000

The strength of every European cooperation project lies in its partnership, and CULTREK is no exception. Bringing together four organisations from Spain, Poland, Croatia and Greece, the project combines diverse expertise with a shared commitment to preserving, promoting and revitalising Europe’s rural cultural heritage through artistic expression.

Although each partner contributes different knowledge and experience, all organisations work towards the same objective: demonstrating that culture can play a key role in strengthening rural communities, fostering creativity and supporting sustainable local development.

Espacio Tormaleo S.L. (Spain)

As the coordinator of the CULTREK project, Espacio Tormaleo S.L. leads the overall implementation and coordination of the consortium. Based in Asturias, the organisation focuses on the revitalisation of rural territories through culture, heritage preservation and sustainable tourism, promoting innovative approaches to community development and international cooperation.

Fundacja Ochrony Krajobrazu (Poland)

Fundacja Ochrony Krajobrazu (FOK) specialises in cultural heritage management and participatory approaches to heritage preservation. The foundation contributes its extensive experience in heritage revitalisation, cooperation with public institutions and the development of sustainable models for protecting and promoting cultural assets.

The Arteco Pavletić Association (Croatia)

The Arteco Pavletić Association brings expertise in community engagement, artistic activities, youth participation and environmental awareness. Through its work in rural Croatia, the association connects creativity, culture and sustainable development while encouraging active citizenship and strengthening local communities through art and cultural initiatives.

JOIST Innovation Park (Greece)

JOIST Innovation Park contributes its expertise in innovation, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning. Its experience in developing innovative educational programmes and digital tools supports the project’s ambition to combine cultural heritage with modern technologies and creative innovation.

Working Together Across Europe

Over the next 30 months, the four partner organisations will work closely to explore the cultural heritage of rural communities, exchange knowledge and good practices, organise artistic residencies and develop innovative methods for promoting local traditions.

By combining local experience with international cooperation, the consortium aims to create lasting benefits for rural areas while encouraging communities to rediscover and celebrate their cultural identity through creativity and artistic expression.

The CULTREK partnership demonstrates the value of European cooperation, showing how organisations from different countries can work together to address shared challenges, exchange ideas and build a stronger future for Europe’s rural cultural heritage.

We look forward to sharing the progress of this collaboration and introducing the people, activities and achievements that will shape the project over the coming months.

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What is CULTREK?

Ena Jakovac — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:55:21 +0000

Europe’s rural areas are home to an extraordinary wealth of traditions, stories, craftsmanship, landscapes and cultural practices that have shaped local identities for generations. However, many of these valuable cultural assets are increasingly at risk due to depopulation, changing lifestyles and limited opportunities for sustainable development.

The CULTREK project was created to address these challenges by demonstrating how culture and artistic expression can contribute to preserving rural heritage while creating new opportunities for local communities.

Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, CULTREK (Culture REKindled: Reviving Economic and Cultural Legacy in Rural Landscapes through Artistic Expressions) brings together partners from several European countries with a common objective: to strengthen the connection between people, culture and rural territories through international cooperation and creative innovation.

Rather than viewing cultural heritage solely as a historical legacy, CULTREK promotes a dynamic approach that encourages communities to actively rediscover, reinterpret and celebrate their local traditions. Through artistic activities, knowledge exchange and collaborative learning, the project seeks to inspire new ways of protecting and promoting Europe’s rich rural cultural diversity.

Throughout the project, partners will work together to identify examples of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, explore innovative artistic methods for presenting local traditions and encourage active participation from citizens, artists, educators and cultural organisations.

CULTREK also aims to strengthen cooperation between European partners by sharing experiences, exchanging good practices and developing new approaches that can be replicated in different rural regions. This international collaboration will help create lasting networks while increasing awareness of the cultural value and development potential of rural communities.

An important aspect of the project is its commitment to accessibility and public engagement. Through its website and social media channels, CULTREK will regularly publish news, interviews, photographs, videos and educational materials, allowing citizens across Europe to follow the project’s progress and discover inspiring examples of rural cultural heritage.

By combining culture, creativity and international cooperation, CULTREK demonstrates that rural heritage is not simply something to preserve—it is a valuable resource capable of inspiring innovation, strengthening communities and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Everyone interested in culture, creativity and rural development is invited to follow the project’s activities and become part of this exciting European journey.

Learn more about CULTREK and follow us

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CULTREK Project officially launched: revitalising Europe’s rural cultural heritage through artistic expression

Ena Jakovac — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:40:27 +0000

The CULTREK project has officially begun, bringing together a diverse consortium of organisations from across Europe with a shared ambition: to preserve, promote and revitalise rural cultural heritage through creativity, artistic expression and international cooperation.

Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, CULTREK (Culture REKindled: Reviving Economic and Cultural Legacy in Rural Landscapes through Artistic Expressions) seeks to demonstrate how culture can become a powerful driver of sustainable rural development, social inclusion and community resilience.

Over the coming months, project partners will work together to identify, document and promote examples of rural cultural heritage that deserve greater visibility while encouraging innovative artistic approaches capable of connecting local traditions with contemporary creative practices.

The project brings together organisations with complementary expertise in cultural heritage, education, community engagement, creative industries and rural development. Through close international cooperation, the consortium will exchange knowledge, develop innovative methodologies and create opportunities for local communities to actively participate in preserving and promoting their cultural identity.

One of the project’s key objectives is to strengthen the relationship between people and their local heritage by encouraging active participation, intercultural dialogue and artistic collaboration. Rather than treating heritage as something belonging only to the past, CULTREK views it as a living resource that can inspire creativity, education and sustainable economic development.

During the implementation period, partners will organise workshops, study visits, artistic activities, dissemination events and public presentations across participating countries. These activities will contribute to raising awareness of Europe’s rich rural cultural diversity while promoting cooperation between local communities, artists, cultural professionals and educational organisations.

The project also places strong emphasis on digital communication. Through its official website and social media channels, CULTREK will regularly share news, project activities, interviews, videos, photographs and project results, ensuring that citizens across Europe can follow the project’s development.

The consortium looks forward to working together over the coming years to celebrate Europe’s rural cultural heritage and demonstrate how artistic expression can contribute to preserving traditions while creating new opportunities for future generations.

We warmly invite everyone interested in culture, heritage, creativity and rural development to follow the project’s journey and discover the inspiring stories that will emerge throughout its implementation.

Follow CULTREK

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