How culture, heritage, and tourism can drive social innovation and sustainable development was the central focus of the 12th Training Academy on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, held in Torres Vedras, Portugal, from 11 to 13 June 2025.
IGCAT was honoured to be invited to contribute to this exclusive event, dedicated to “Cooperation and Cultural Routes,” which gathered representatives from the 48 certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe for a dynamic exchange of ideas and practices.
Representing IGCAT, Matilde Ferreira, International Projects Manager, took part in Plenary Session 3: Social Innovation & Cultural Heritage Co-Construction Along the Cultural Routes, contributing to a roundtable that explored:
- Strategies for stakeholder engagement
- Hybrid and digital interpretation of cultural heritage
- Tourism and heritage synergies for landscape regeneration
At the Auditório de Arruda dos Vinhos, the Institute’s vision and work were presented through the World Regions of Gastronomy Platform, emphasizing how IGCAT’s initiatives, such as the World Food Gift Challenge, Top Foodie Websites Award, and Food Film Menu, help promote local food cultures, empower communities, and build international cross-sectoral collaborations.
IGCAT’s participation reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation, creative storytelling, and community engagement in safeguarding cultural heritage while advancing innovation. These values are at the heart of the Platform of Regions, which promotes knowledge exchange and long-term partnerships for a more resilient and culturally vibrant future.
Our thanks to the organisers: European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR), European Federation of Napoleonic Cities, Iter Vitis, Rota Histórica das Linhas de Torres, AMPV, and the Municipality of Torres Vedras, for hosting such an inspiring and fruitful event.
