6. Capacity and Innovation

Adaptive reuse can only become a widespread and sustainable model if it extends beyond isolated initiatives. Building long-term capacity among professionals and communities engaged in heritage development is essential. Professional expertise should be continuously nurtured through project development, education, and the exchange of best practices, fostering a broader and more dynamic knowledge base in the heritage field.

6.1 Access to expertise

Belgium is home to a wealth of expertise in adaptive reuse, with professionals ranging from architects to conservationists playing active roles in projects. Innovative business models, such as the use of public-private partnerships in the redevelopment of the Ostend Port Authority building, demonstrate the dynamic nature of the field.

Belgium has robust access to a broad range of experts involved in the adaptive reuse of heritage properties. These include architects specialised in historical buildings, structural engineers, sustainability consultants and urban planners. This diversity is crucial as each expert brings specialised knowledge essential for integrating modern functionalities with historical preservation. For instance, conservation architects play a key role in ensuring that the structural integrity and historical authenticity of heritage sites are maintained during the adaptive reuse process. But according to some experts there is a lack of pedagogical and participatory skills and tools present in this realm in order to ensure real participation and engaging participatory processes. 

The expertise required for successful heritage development projects in Belgium encompasses a deep understanding of historical architecture, materials science, and contemporary construction techniques. Professionals involved in these projects often possess skills in assessing historical structures, identifying appropriate conservation techniques, and applying sustainable building practices. This blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern engineering ensures that adaptive reuse projects respect the historical significance of sites while making them viable for contemporary use. According to some experts there is a lack of pedagogical and participatory skills and tools present in this realm in order to ensure real participation and engaging participatory processes. 

The adaptive reuse sector in Belgium is a catalyst for innovation, fostering new business models and entrepreneurial opportunities. Startups and cultural entrepreneurs frequently innovate in this space, introducing new uses for old buildings, such as transforming abandoned factories into creative art spaces or startup hubs. These transformations often lead to the creation of new professions, such as heritage property managers or sustainability compliance specialists, who ensure that these projects meet current environmental and safety standards. An example can be seen at the Belgian testbed Track and Beurs/Bourse, where already numerous new jobs have been created within the adaptive reuse framework. 

Architects and different types of Engineers are usually the most common specialist involved in a project. Depending on the case of restoration there are other specialists involved and most often these are Conservationists and Restorers, as well as Historians and Archaeologists.

For successful transformation and adaptation however, there are other specialists much needed which are sadly usually omitted in the process in Bulgaria. These are Urban Planners and Landscape Architects who could consider the broader urban context and environment, integrating heritage sites into the surrounding area and maintaining cultural landscapes; Project Managers and Administrators coordinating the various aspects of adaptive reuse projects, ensuring timelines, budgets, and regulations are met (usually this role is led by the architect); Craftsmen and Artisans who work on restoring or recreating traditional elements, such as woodwork, masonry, frescoes, and other decorative features; Economists and Financial Advisors who assess the financial sustainability of adaptive reuse projects, exploring funding sources and business models to ensure long-term viability; Tourism and Cultural Heritage Specialists focusing on promoting heritage sites through tourism and cultural activities, attracting visitors and generating revenue.

Experts involved in adaptive heritage reuse need a wide range of expertise, knowledge, and cultural skills, including sociological, cultural and historical knowledge – guiding the reuse process and ensuring the preservation of the site’s identity; conservation techniques and restoration skills – essential for restoring heritage sites without compromising their integrity; legal and regulatory knowledge; Interdisciplinary collaboration – adaptive reuse projects often require collaboration among diverse professionals, necessitating strong communication and teamwork skills; project management and business acumen – the ability to manage budgets, timelines, and resources, as well as develop sustainable business models, is critical for the success of adaptive reuse projects; community engagement and cultural sensitivity – engaging with the local community and understanding cultural nuances ensures that adaptive reuse projects are accepted and valued by stakeholders.

Overall, while Bulgaria has a solid foundation in heritage preservation, the field of adaptive reuse can benefit from increased access to experts and a more robust pipeline for developing skilled professionals. Efforts to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, specialised training, and sustainable business models are essential for enhancing the success and impact of adaptive heritage reuse initiatives in Bulgaria.

In the context of digital technologies, innovation comes to form digital mapping of cultural heritage (Sofia’s Heritage, Varna Heritage), which, although not an entirely new practice could be considered a step forward, when keeping in mind that there is no unified digital map of cultural heritage sites in Bulgaria, that is accessible to the public.

New professionals and innovative building models that could be considered appropriate in the field of adaptive heritage reuse are the ones involved in the building automation solutions. Such could be successfully implemented in heritage reuse projects; however concrete examples remain small and sporadic.

Access to experts in the field of adaptive heritage reuse in Cyprus varies depending on factors such as project scope, location, and available resources. However, there are several common professions among experts involved in such initiatives and projects:

  1. Architects
  2. Historians and Archaeologists
  3. Conservation Specialists
  4. Urban Planners
  5. Community Engagement Specialists
  6. Legal and Regulatory Experts

In the context of adaptive heritage reuse projects in Cyprus, a range of innovative models, startups, cultural entrepreneurs, and new professions have emerged to address the evolving challenges and opportunities in heritage preservation and revitalization. Heritage conservation consultants offer specialised advisory services on conservation strategies and sustainable design solutions tailored to heritage reuse projects. Heritage tourism entrepreneurs develop immersive tourism experiences centred around historic sites, collaborating with local communities to create authentic visitor experiences. Digital heritage specialists leverage technology to digitally preserve and interpret cultural heritage assets, expanding access to heritage sites through virtual platforms. Social impact investors provide financial support to projects that prioritise social, environmental, and cultural outcomes alongside financial returns, contributing to local regeneration and sustainable economic growth. Creative place-makers activate public spaces and heritage sites through artistic interventions and community engagement initiatives, fostering social connections and enhancing urban vibrancy. Heritage craftsmen and artisans preserve traditional crafts and skills, contributing to the maintenance and repair of historic buildings. Green building experts integrate sustainable design principles into heritage reuse projects, promoting ecologically responsible practices and enhancing the resilience of heritage assets to environmental risks.

In creative and cultural industries, the sector is spanning a wide range of different fields – from architecture and music to advertising, the cultural and creative industries are an exciting sector of business. People working across these industries include freelance artists and creative minds and art dealers, agents and gallery-owners who have set up micro-enterprises.

The cultural and creative industries are, of course, characterised by creative minds creating things. Whether they are authors or filmmakers, representatives of the visual or performing arts, architects, designers or developers of computer games – all these people stand for quality, cultural diversity, and creative renewal. At the same time, they also help build a fast-growing, innovative and knowledge-based economy.

Despite the large number of practices and experiences in culture-based territorial regeneration and social innovation in Italy, the professionals involved in these processes do not fall under a specific professional profile. The skills required in this field always vary according to the needs of each specific regeneration experience. In general, the experts working in this area have scientific backgrounds ranging from architecture to engineering, industrial design, and territorial planning. Additionally, profiles from the social sciences are not excluded; their skills are necessary for managing the collaborative processes and participative dynamics of these experiences. Moreover, additional competences commonly found among professionals involved in adaptive reuse include industry experience and proficiency in English for management, organisational, and planning roles.

In terms of demand for professionals in the field of adaptive reuse, the national job market demonstrates dynamism in the private sector while lacking innovation in the public sector. Most job opportunities are concentrated in private companies, particularly in northern Italy. Public sector openings are often linked to tenders and grants. However, certain public institutions involved in cultural activities with regenerative impacts, along with consulting firms (both public and private), are starting to provide positions focused on urban regeneration. These roles entail evaluating, organising, and guiding the regeneration processes.

In Spain, access to experts in the field of adaptive heritage reuse is relatively robust, thanks to a strong tradition of cultural heritage conservation and a well-developed academic and professional network. Common professions involved in such projects include architects, urban planners, conservationists, historians, archaeologists, and engineers. These professionals bring a wide range of expertise necessary for the successful adaptation of historical sites to contemporary uses.

6.2 Institutional and Corporate Support

There is significant institutional and corporate support for the development of human resources in the field of adaptive heritage reuse. This support includes funding for training programs, research grants for developing new materials and techniques, and partnerships between educational institutions and private firms. For example, several Belgian universities collaborate with architectural firms to provide hands-on training in heritage conservation, equipping students with the skills needed for the complexities of adaptive reuse projects.

Policies and initiatives to involve the cultural and creative sectors in heritage transformations are actively promoted by both government bodies and cultural organisations. These policies aim to ensure that adaptive reuse projects not only preserve the physical aspect of heritage sites but also breathe new life into them by incorporating cultural, artistic, and social activities. This approach helps in maintaining the vibrancy and relevance of heritage sites within modern urban contexts. More and more bottom-up and popular activities are being programmed within numerous heritage sites, such as parties, vintage and young designers’ markets, etc. 

Belgium is proactive in enhancing green skills and promoting employment in the adaptive reuse sector. Training programs focused on sustainable building practices and green technologies are common, supported by government incentives that encourage the adoption of these skills in the construction industry. Such programs are essential for ensuring that the workforce can meet the demands of environmentally sustainable development practices.

The sector also tries to focus on attracting and developing young professionals, offering various opportunities for involvement in high-profile adaptive reuse projects. These opportunities are supported by internships, apprenticeships, and entry-level positions that allow young professionals to gain valuable experience while contributing to significant cultural heritage projects.

Experts within academic institutions and the private sector are trying to connect research and provide guidance on best practices for adaptive heritage reuse. These efforts include publishing guidelines, conducting workshops, and offering consultancy services, which are invaluable for community groups and developers engaged in adaptive reuse projects. This collaborative approach helps to ensure that these projects are implemented with a high degree of professionalism and respect for heritage values.

Most policies related to the urban environment view the creative sector as a strong catalyst for positive change and for creating an attractive city image associated with young people, successful careers, culture, tourism, etc. However, these connections, which are identified as enhancing positive outcomes, are often not well translated into concrete measures and remain as aspirations or entirely rely on private initiatives from various cultural organisations. This leads to both a lack of targeted initiatives in the creative sector related to immovable cultural assets and does not create a sufficiently clear basis for intervention in a historical environment.

At the local level, the active presence of applied programs related to The European Green Deal, which aims to transform the European economy in a sustainable way, is still not strongly felt. 

Programs and grants related to innovation and sustainability can be used to support green skills and employment in the cultural heritage sector, even though they are not strictly aimed at this sector.

There are programs for employing young specialists, but these are not related strictly to cultural heritage. However, programs that provide employers with incentives when hiring interns and young specialists are often avoided because payments arrive after the project implementation period, and the bureaucratic process is significantly burdensome.

A significant drawback is the lack of clear and easily understandable guidelines from institutions for property owners or activists in the field of cultural heritage. There is reliance on the regulatory framework and general procedures, but there are no targeted communication materials to promote or clarify specific processes. To compensate for these gaps, various NGOs are working on creating manuals to assist property owners or those interested in cultural heritage.

Unfortunately, institutional capacity is often significantly limited in terms of being able to dedicate real time for assistance and guidance to interested parties. When it comes to various innovations, fundraising, engagement, etc., institutions are often unprepared to offer quality guidance. These shortcomings create an opportunity to draw best practices and experience from the initiative of active NGOs and private entities in the field, but there’s a need for more work in recognizing this expertise.

In Cyprus, there is institutional and corporate support for the development or recruitment of human resources in the field of adaptive heritage reuse projects, although the extent of such support can vary. Institutions such as government agencies, heritage organisations, academic institutions, and private sector companies may offer training programs, internships, scholarships, or professional development opportunities to individuals interested in pursuing careers in heritage conservation, architecture, urban planning, tourism management, and related fields. Corporate entities involved in heritage reuse projects may also collaborate with educational institutions to provide practical training, mentorship, or employment opportunities for students and professionals seeking to gain experience in heritage preservation and adaptive reuse. Additionally, public-private partnerships and funding initiatives may be established to support research, capacity-building, and skills development in the heritage sector, contributing to the recruitment and retention of qualified human resources for heritage reuse projects.

In Cyprus, there are policies, measures, and initiatives aimed at involving the cultural and creative sector in heritage transformations, leveraging their expertise, creativity, and innovation to enhance the preservation and adaptive reuse of heritage assets. These initiatives include:

  1. Cultural Heritage Funding Programs
  2. Heritage-Inspired Innovation Challenges
  3. Creative Partnerships and Collaborations
  4. Cultural Heritage Entrepreneurship Programs
  5. Heritage-Led Regeneration Projects
  6. Capacity-Building and Skills Development

In Cyprus, there are experts within both the institutional (local and national government agencies, heritage organisations) and private sectors who specialise in various aspects of adaptive reuse of heritage projects. These experts often provide research, guidance materials, technical assistance, and advisory services to individuals, communities, organisations, and government agencies interested in undertaking heritage reuse initiatives.

Within the institutional sector, government agencies such as the Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Culture, and local municipalities may employ heritage professionals, conservation specialists, urban planners, and archaeologists who can offer expertise and support for heritage reuse projects. These professionals may provide guidance on regulatory requirements, heritage assessments, permitting processes, and best practices for heritage preservation and adaptive reuse.

Heritage organisations (such as the ‘The Cyprus Architectural Heritage Organization’), research institutes, and academic institutions also play a key role in supporting heritage reuse initiatives by conducting research, developing guidance materials, and providing technical assistance to stakeholders. These organisations may offer training programs, workshops, seminars, and publications on topics related to heritage conservation, sustainable development, community engagement, and historic preservation.

In the private sector, architectural firms, engineering companies, heritage consultants, and construction firms often employ professionals with specialised expertise in heritage preservation, adaptive reuse, and sustainable design. These experts can provide architectural and engineering services, feasibility studies, conservation plans, and project management support for heritage reuse projects.

Additionally, there are heritage advocacy groups, non-profit organisations, and community-based organisations actively involved in promoting heritage conservation and facilitating community-led adaptive reuse initiatives. These groups may offer grassroots support, advocacy efforts, and community engagement activities to empower local communities to undertake heritage reuse projects.

The cultural and creative industries are among the fastest-growing industries in the global economy. In order for them to remain so, the sector needs to become more competitive and innovative small cultural businesses and freelance artists need better opportunities to make money. This is why, in 2007, the federal government launched the Cultural and Creative Industries Initiative (in German). The initiative is coordinated by the federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the federal government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

The competence centre has been part of the federal government’s Cultural and Creative Industries Initiative since autumn 2009. Their task is:

  • to make the cultural and creative industries visible,
  • to convey their cross-disciplinary potential for business, society and politics,
  • to develop solutions to industry-related challenges together with the actors and
  • make greater use of the innovation potential of the creative sector.

This includes, above all, increasing innovation dynamics, particularly in the area of non-technical innovation, and identifying solution options for the challenges of the present and future.

In its work, the competence centre relies on intra- and cross-industry networking, cross-border cooperation and unusual event formats. As a nationwide contact point for the cultural and creative industries, as a think tank and network player, it is also an important supporter of the “Culture and Creative Industries Forum” industry dialogue launched by the federal Ministry of Economics.

More than development of specific professional profiles, the new attitude of public authorities towards entrusting cultural assets to third sector subjects fostered the growth of profit and non-profit organisations, professional offices, artist studios, and venues for cultural production, self-organised groups and associations. In this way, new projects and entrepreneurship flourished, pushed by the opportunity of regenerating resources otherwise destined to remain disused or under-utilised. In particular, the emergence of startups has been fostered by grants from banking foundations. For instance, the Funder 35 program by the Association of Foundations and Savings Banks (ACRI) supported from 2012 until 2018 startups focused on art and culture. This program targets cultural organisations led by individuals under 35, helping them provide services that support creative production and urban regeneration.

Aside from government bodies, there are several key Academic Institutions and Research Centres devoted to this field: Universities like the University of Granada and the Polytechnic University of Madrid offer specialised programs in architecture, heritage conservation, and urban planning, providing a strong academic foundation for future experts; Research Institutes such as The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España (IPCE) are leading research institutions focusing on heritage preservation and adaptive reuse which provide expertise in conservation techniques and methodologies; Professional Associations and Networks like the Spanish Association of Historic Heritage Managers (AEGPC) brings together professionals dedicated to heritage management, offering a platform for knowledge exchange and professional development, and the  International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Spain is part of the global ICOMOS network, providing access to international expertise and best practices in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse. There are also abundant non-profit organisations and private sector consultancies relating to these fields that offer outside assessment and quality control.

Experts in heritage development projects in Spain possess a deep understanding of both historical context and contemporary needs. Their expertise spans architectural conservation, structural engineering, urban planning, and cultural heritage management. Additionally, cultural skills such as historical research, archival studies, and community engagement are crucial. These professionals are adept at balancing the preservation of historical integrity with the demands of modern functionality and sustainability.

Spain is witnessing a rise in innovative models, startups, and cultural entrepreneurs focused on adaptive heritage reuse. Examples include tech-driven conservation methods, sustainable tourism ventures, and cultural hubs that repurpose historical buildings. New professions are emerging at the intersection of technology, culture, and sustainability, such as heritage technologists who use digital tools to enhance conservation efforts, and cultural strategists who develop business models integrating heritage assets with modern urban life. Initiatives like Fab Lab Barcelona, hosted by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), this digital fabrication laboratory provides resources for artists, designers, and entrepreneurs to experiment with new technologies in heritage conservation and reuse. Also, startups like Patrimonio Inteligente, a startup specialising in the digitalization and virtual restoration of heritage sites that use technologies like 3D scanning, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) to create immersive experiences and digital archives of historical sites, or Cultural Places that offers an app to connect tourists with cultural heritage sites through interactive maps, guided tours, and augmented reality experiences, enhancing visitor engagement and education, are more and more common. 

There is significant institutional and corporate support for the development and recruitment of human resources in adaptive heritage reuse. National and regional governments, through institutions like the Spanish Cultural Heritage Institute (IPCE) and various regional heritage bodies, provide funding, training programs, and professional development opportunities. Corporations and private foundations also contribute through sponsorships, grants, and collaborative projects aimed at revitalising historical sites.

Spain has implemented several policies and initiatives to involve the cultural and creative sectors in heritage transformations. These include grants and subsidies for cultural projects that utilise heritage sites, partnerships between cultural organisations and heritage institutions, and programmes that promote creative industries within historical settings foster collaboration between artists, cultural managers, and heritage professionals to bring new life to historical sites. There are dedicated programs in Spain that support green skills competence and green employment within the context of adaptive heritage reuse. These initiatives aim to integrate sustainable practices into heritage conservation and reuse projects, promoting energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and environmentally-friendly technologies. Programs such as the European Green Deal and various national sustainability initiatives provide funding and support for projects that align heritage conservation with environmental goals.

6.3 Capacity Building

Continuous investment in training and capacity building is crucial for sustaining the momentum of adaptive reuse initiatives. Belgium offers a range of educational programs that provide technical and practical training in heritage conservation, sustainable building practices, and project management. These programs, often supported by government grants and private funding, are essential for building a skilled workforce capable of tackling the challenges associated with adaptive reuse projects.

The comprehensive approach in Belgium not only fosters innovation and builds capacity in the adaptive reuse of cultural heritage but also ensures that these projects contribute positively to societal goals and urban development. However, despite these strengths, challenges such as balancing modern needs with preservation, integrating diverse stakeholder interests, and ensuring financial viability remain. These challenges necessitate ongoing funding, multidisciplinarity, social innovation, constant dialogue, soft skills, the involvement of marginalised groups, policy refinement, balancing the power of the lobbies of real estate investors, and collaborative problem-solving to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of adaptive reuse practices.

The support from institutions and corporations is pivotal in nurturing the adaptive reuse ecosystem. For example, the Belgian government’s recent initiatives to fund startups focusing on heritage technology underscore the commitment to fostering innovation in the sector.

This does not need to be difficult, and can just be a simple wall text or web page dedicated to a history of what the building meant to past generations. Take Brussels’ Belgian Comic Strip Centre as an example. This “ninth art” is important to the country’s cultural history, and so is Victor Horta, the famed art nouveau architect who designed the converted textile warehouse. The museum shows its pride in both its collection and its home through telling the building’s history online, contextualising it alongside the architect and design movement.

The Comic Art Museum has enhanced its prestigious, splendid Art Nouveau store designed by architect Victor Horta. The building, inaugurated in 1906, originally served as a warehouse to textile baron Charles Waucquez. This period (late nineteenth – early twentieth century) coincides with the beginnings of modern comic strips.

In 1975 architect Jean Delhaye, a student of Horta’s, succeeded in bringing the Waucquez warehouse, which had become an endangered masterpiece, to the attention of the state. The building was listed. Now all that was left was to find a worthy new role and… the financial means to restore the building. In 1983, urged by a couple of enthusiasts for urban development (Jean Breydel) and comic strips (Guy Dessicy), the Belgian Secretary for Public Works bought Waucquez Warehouse from the owners’ heirs with the express intention of securing the building in order to dedicate it to the promotion of comic strips.

In 1984 the “Belgian Comic Strip Center” was founded as a non-profit organisation. Its first chairman was Bob De Moor, Hergé’s well-known assistant, who had supported the project from the very beginning. The organisation’s aims were simple: to promote comic strips and to maintain the architectural masterpiece that housed the project. On 24 April 1986, the launch of the project was celebrated in the presence of the entire Belgian comic strip community… in a building which was still very much a ruin.

Some intensive lobbying took place, including a sumptuous lunch at the Royal Palace with twenty major comic strip artists and a soirée with the entire Belgian comic strip community, the Belgian Comic Strip Centre’s founders and the Belgian Secretary for Public Works. Then it was time for the restorers to move in. These had been appointed by the Régie des Bâtiments de l’Etat (1987) and were represented by architect Christian Lelubre. The architect who assumed the task of drawing up the restoration plans, taking Horta’s work into consideration and avoiding ‘fake classicism’, was Pierre Van Assche. The days of carpenters, glaziers, painters and floorers are long gone now. The building has become a magical place once more.

All universities that offer architecture programs have specialisations in the field of cultural heritage. Recently, the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Geodesy has launched a specialised master’s program in Cultural Heritage Conservation.

In 2022, after a brief pause, the two-year professional training course for architects in immovable cultural heritage conservation restarted at the National Institute of Immovable Cultural Heritage (NIICH) and the Shayo Centre for Advanced Studies.

Wide range of NGOs and organisations with private or non-profit origin fill in the niche of educational materials, design, specific courses and training related to the management, restoration or promotion of cultural heritage and others, where often non governmental organisations are stronger in.. 

There are also training programs organised by individual specialists or European organisations focusing on preserving traditional crafts and construction knowledge. These usually take place in the summer at various destinations across Europe and are open to a wide range of specialists and enthusiasts.

NIICH – National Institute for Immovable Cultural Heritage 

ICP – immovable cultural property

In the case of Cyprus, there are various training and academic programs, as well as capacity-building initiatives, focused on heritage adaptive reuse theory and practices. These programs are offered by a range of stakeholders, including educational institutions, municipal or governmental institutions, private consultants, funding programs, and NGOs. Some examples include:

  1. Educational Institutions: Universities and colleges in Cyprus may offer academic programs related to heritage conservation, urban planning, architecture, and cultural heritage management. 
  2. Governmental Institutions: Government agencies responsible for heritage preservation and urban planning may organise capacity-building workshops, seminars, and training programs for professionals and stakeholders involved in heritage adaptive reuse projects
  3. Private Consultants: Private consulting firms specialising in heritage conservation, architecture, and urban design may offer training sessions, webinars, or certification programs focused on adaptive reuse theory and practices. 
  4. Funding Programs: Funding programs administered by government agencies, heritage organisations, or philanthropic foundations may support capacity-building activities related to heritage adaptive reuse. 
  5. NGOs: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) dedicated to heritage preservation and sustainable development may provide training and capacity-building initiatives for local communities, heritage practitioners, and grassroots organisations.

The competence centre is the central contact point for the cultural and creative industries in Germany and related institutions (e.g. associations). It provides information about the latest developments in the diverse industry, shows the added value of innovative ways of thinking and methods from the cultural and creative industries for other areas and initiates innovations for current social challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers, the climate crisis or digitalization. The federal Competence Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries is part of the federal government’s Cultural and Creative Industries Initiative (https://kreativ-bund.de/).

One example of adaptive reuse of cultural and industrial heritage facilitated by the federal competence centre for cultural and creative industries is NudelFabrik Zeitz (Creative Lab, idea for social entrepreneurship). The second Creative Lab of the Federal Competence Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries with the title “Coal Ideas” was dedicated to the topic of cultural and creative industries and structural change in Brown coal regions. After a phase of research and network building from January to May, in June 2021, the Creative Lab became a real ideas laboratory in the city of Zeitz in central Germany. The heart of the Creative Lab was the promotion of so-called risky projects – entrepreneurial experiments, projects or concepts at industry interfaces that have the potential to initiate new impulses for lively structural change in the region. Six similar projects were selected for the Creative Lab through a multi-stage selection process and were able to advance their ideas in Zeitz with the support of mentors.

In addition to supporting the risky projects, the Creative Lab also served as an experimental space, about potential the cultural and creative industries as a driver for social and economic

Show transformation and comprehensive insights for innovation processes for structural change. The following success factors for setting up an innovation laboratory could be determined after evaluating the project.

In addition, the survey of the Creative Lab project teams provided valuable insights to address creative actors. Access to a network of science, business and administration, a real experimental space and fast, unbureaucratic funding conditions have emerged as key pull factors.

The Creative Lab also showed how the cultural and creative industries can provide impetus for the topic and can bring about structural change. But the following applies: cultural and creative industries can only be so strong, as the people and local structures allow it. Ideas must be spread, proclaimed, supported, and improved continuously – it takes courage, the participation of citizens and open administrations to create strong and sustainable structures for usability to build the innovative strength of the industry.

In Italy, formal training in the field of urban regeneration is offered by both private and public universities through specialised master’s degrees. They are divided into two main strands: formal education provided by universities and non-formal education offered by specialised organisations and private actors. These last ones are primarily provided by organisations specialising in non-formal learning, as well as private entities such as associations, consultancy firms, and limited liability companies. Most of these courses are financed through direct or indirect European funds.

Courses in this field are multidisciplinary, encompassing various fields of knowledge and combining theoretical frameworks with practical experiences such as traineeships, fieldwork, and project work. These programs are designed to enhance the skillsets of students entering the labour market, often including mentorship from practitioners and placement services. They are aimed at recent graduates from diverse educational backgrounds (such as law, urban planning, economics) and professionals from various sectors (including public administration, non-profit organisations, consultancy firms, and research institutes).

Spain offers various forms of support for the recruitment of young professionals and the creation of future-oriented jobs connected to heritage. Scholarships, internships, and apprenticeships are available through academic institutions, governmental bodies, and cultural organisations. Specific government grants are in place such as the FormARTE Scholarships for training and specialisation in subjects within the competence of cultural institutions dependent on the Ministry of Culture and Sport, which have programmes specifically in the field of cultural heritage, or the CULTUREX Scholarships, which specifically cover work placement of young Spanish professionals in the field of cultural management abroad. Other entities like the Santander Bank Foundation run initiatives such as “Santander Employs Culture”, which is aimed at creating employment among young professionals specialised in contemporary culture and at helping organisations in the cultural sector grow sustainably by covering a new employee’s salary for a year.

Regarding education and skill and competence building, aside from universities which we already mentioned, organisations such as the Spanish Association for Heritage Preservation (Asociación Española de Conservación y Restauración del Patrimonio Cultural) offer courses and certification programs to enhance professional competencies in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse. The sector is supported by a comprehensive network of experts, robust institutional frameworks, and innovative models that integrate cultural heritage with contemporary needs. With strong backing from both public and private sectors, Spain continues to develop and promote sustainable and creative approaches to preserving and repurposing its rich historical legacy.