The 13th edition of the Training Academy on Cultural Routes took place in Pécs, (Hungary) and Osijek, (Croatia) from 2 to 5 June, bringing together over 100 participants from 24 countries and 30 Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.

Dedicated to the theme “Shaping Confidence and Diversity”, this cross-border edition fostered dialogue, mutual learning and intercultural exchange through a participant-centred programme. Over four days, participants engaged in discussions and workshops on recent developments within the Programme of Cultural Routes, shared best practices, and explored ways to strengthen its quality, growth and impact.

Group discussions addressed key perspectives for the future development of the Programme, including network management, representativeness, youth participation, the consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, preparations for the 40th anniversary of the Cultural Routes Programme, and cooperation with universities.

Registrations are now open for the 15th Advisory Forum on the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, to be held in Yerevan, Republic of Armenia, from 23 to 25 September 2026. 

Organised by the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and the European Institute of Cultural Routes, in cooperation with the ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, the Forum will focus on the theme Routes through Time and Cultures: Education for Sustainable Heritage. 

Further information regarding the programme and registration procedures is available on the dedicated Forum website. The deadline for registration is 15 August 2026.

Following the foundation work of its first meeting, the Reflection Group on the Thematic Representativeness of the Cultural Routes reconvened at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 25-26 June. The Group brings together representatives of EPA member states, international organisations with observer or participatory status, several Council of Europe bodies, Cultural Routes, and thematic experts.

 This second meeting was devoted to analyse the context of culture and heritage policies in the Council of Europe and how the context may influence the representativeness of the Cultural Routes, notably in connection with the New Democratic Pact for Europe (towards a better and sustainable programme).

It remains closely aligned with the values and priorities of the Council of Europe and aims to contribute to the ongoing development of the New Democratic Pact for Europe, as well as to the preparations for the 40th anniversary of the programme. 

On 24 June, the Bureau of the Governing Board of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) met in Strasbourg to review recent developments in the Cultural Routes Programme and prepare upcoming statutory meetings and events.

Chaired by Sergio Ortega Muñoz, the Bureau took note of the latest updates on the programme's activities, including the outcomes of the 2026 Training Academy and the follow-up to the Governing Board meeting.

A significant part of the discussion focused on preparations for the 15th Cultural Routes Advisory Forum, to be held in Yerevan on 23-25 September, in the framework of which an informal meeting of the Governing Board will take place. The Bureau also advanced preparations for the Reflection Group on Thematic Representativeness, which gathered in Strasbourg on 25-26 June.

On 30 June, the Board of Directors of the European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR) held its meeting and a General Assembly at its premises in Luxembourg.

The Board of Directors was chaired by Ambassador André Biever, EICR President and Director of Consular Affairs and International Cultural Relations at the ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

During the meeting, the board members reviewed the report of activities for 2025, and discussed activities planned for 2026. The General Assembly appointed Eszter Csonka-Takács (EPA Representative for Hungary) as a new member representing the Governing Board of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes.

From 18 to 20 June, representatives of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, the French ministry of Culture, the French Federation of European Cultural Routes (FFICE), local, departmental and regional authorities, as well as relevant stakeholders, gathered in Châteauroux, in central France, for the annual meeting of the Cultural Routes running through France.

The meeting was organised by the European Federation of Cluniac Sites and the Indre department, with the support of the French ministry of Culture and in partnership with the French Federation of European Cultural Routes. Held in a spirit of cooperation, the event highlighted the unifying and innovative role of cultural routes in raising public awareness of European history, heritage and values.

Particular attention was paid to activities for young people organised by the Cultural Routes. Several Routes presented their best practices, projects and recent experiences regarding youth engagement, exchanging ideas and sharing their knowledge. A further presentation focused on educational and digital outreach tools.

France has been a member of the Enlarged Partial Agreement since 2011 and currently has 36 Cultural Routes within its territory.

On 11-12 June, 90 experts in Cultural Routes gathered in Plovdiv for the national information event “Cultural Routes – Bulgaria 2026”.

Experts from Bulgaria and abroad, representing central and local authorities, museums, universities, cultural institutions, and tourism organisations discussed the opportunities offered by the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme for sustainable development, cultural diplomacy, and regional cooperation.

The initiative was launched within the framework of the ministry of Tourism's declaration of 2026 as the Year of Cultural Tourism. Its objective was to highlight Bulgaria's capacity for enhanced involvement in the program by employing innovative heritage strategies for interpretation, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, and advancing cultural and eco-tourism, in addition to establishing new cultural routes.

The event reaffirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to the values and objectives of the programme and opened new perspectives for future cooperation at national and international levels.

On 2 June, the city of Pécs hosted the third annual meeting of the Hungarian representatives of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. The professional conference, which was organised by the Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Hungarian Open Air Museum, was attended by representatives of 9 Cultural Routes crossing Hungary, including Saint Francis Ways, certified in 2025. The meeting took place as a preliminary event to the 13th Training Academy, which was also held in Pécs and Osijek from 2 to 5 June, hosted by the Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route.

The meeting took place at the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, the Hungarian partner institution of the Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route.

Discussions focused on the challenges experienced by the Cultural Routes, future plans, and possibilities for cooperation. As an outcome, the participants articulated the need to prepare a status report and action plan summarising the activities, outcomes and vision of the Cultural Routes Programme in Hungary.

Hungary has been a member state of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe since 2013 and is currently crossed by 17 Cultural Routes.

An exhibition on the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe crossing France is currently presented at the Le Corbusier, the Maison de la Culture de Firminy, upon invitation from the Route Le Corbusier Destinations: Architectural Promenades.

Structured around 35 roll-ups, it allows visitors to discover heritage sites, routes, and partners involved in the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme.

After its stop in Firminy, the exhibition will travel to Bougival in September, hosted by the Impressionisms Routes. In October, it will be presented in Deauville during the General Assembly of the Cluniac Sites in Europe. Finally, at the end of the year, it will be shown in the Aube to mark the concluding event of the European project HIKE4ALL, led by Via Francigena.