About

The future of Europe’s cultural heritage has new voices — and they are young, bold, and pan-European.
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Youth.Heritage.Europe. (formerly ESACH) and Europa Nostra, respectively as partner and Project Leader of the European Heritage Hub, are proud to unveil the new NextGen Heritage Ambassadors (NGHA). 

​After a highly competitive selection process featuring more than 300 inspiring applications from across Europe, 12 exceptional young professionals and students have been selected to join this newly established advisory group. Together, they represent a new generation ready to challenge, reimagine, and shape the future of cultural heritage in Europe!

The NextGen Heritage Ambassadors place youth at the centre of the European Heritage Hub, ensuring that emerging perspectives actively inform decision-making, innovation, and long-term vision. For the project duration, the selected Ambassadors will act as youth advisors, advocates, and co-creators, contributing directly to the Hub’s work while embodying and promoting the shared values of Youth.Heritage.Europe. and Europa Nostra.

Chaired and coordinated by Youth.Heritage.Europe., with the support of Europa Nostra, the NextGen Heritage Ambassadors complement the work of the Advisory Council by sharpening the Hub’s focus on youth engagement, innovation, and sustainable futures.

Now, it is time to meet the voices behind this vision. Below, we proudly introduce the 12 NextGen Heritage Ambassadors, a dynamic group of changemakers ready to shape what comes next for Europe’s cultural heritage.

NEXTGEN heritage ambassadors

Ángel Marín Berral

Ángel Marín Berral is an Art Historian holding a PhD in Cultural Heritage from the University of Córdoba. His work focuses on the management, promotion, and public accessibility of cultural heritage, combining academic research with institutional and local-level leadership. He is currently active as an Official Tourist Guide and Delegate for Hispania Nostra.

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Atakan
​Budakçı

Atakan Budakçı is a researcher working at the intersection of cultural heritage, collective memory, and cultural diplomacy. Holding a Master’s degree in Public and Cultural Diplomacy, his work explores youth engagement, memory studies, and dialogue through heritage across Europe, Türkiue, and the Western Balkans. He contributes to research, podcasts, and international cultural projects.

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Catarina
dos Reis

Catarina dos Reis is a Portuguese PhD researcher specialising in museums and digital transformation. Her work focuses on digital strategies, accessibility, audience engagement, and collaborative practices within national and international museum contexts. She bridges research and practice to support inclusive and future-oriented cultural institutions.

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Cécile
​Ziegler

Cécile Ziegler is a student of International Cooperation on Intercultural Heritage at the University of Bologna. Her interests focus on the adaptive reuse of built heritage in urban contexts and its role in addressing environmental and social challenges. She has gained experience through European heritage cooperation initiatives and youth-focused heritage work.

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Danielenrico
Moschetti

Danielenrico Moschetti is an archaeology and art history graduate from the University of Naples Federico II. He works with Cooperative La Paranza and the Catacombs of Naples, focusing on heritage management through active citizenship and community engagement. His work is inspired by the principles of the Faro Convention. ​​

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Iulia
​Ștefancu

Iulia Ștefancu is a heritage specialist with a background in architecture, conservation, and sustainable design. Her work focuses on heritage policy, adaptive reuse, and climate-aware approaches to the built environment. She is currently engaged in municipal heritage work and European cultural heritage initiatives.  ​

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Kaja
​Švab

Kaja Švab is an architect and heritage conservation specialist with international academic and professional experience. She has worked as a conservator in Slovenia and holds advanced degrees in architecture and conservation from institutions in the UK and Spain. She currently works as a freelance professional in architecture, conservation, and urbanism.

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Nikolina Đorđević

Nikolina Đorđević is a conservation and restoration student and a visual artist based in Belgrade. She is actively involved in initiatives dedicated to the protection of modern cultural heritage and youth participation. Her work has been recognised through national and international exhibitions and heritage awards.​

Samantha
​Tobiáš ​​

Samantha Tobiáš is a PhD researcher at University College Dublin with a background in World Heritage Management and Conservation. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on climate vulnerability, cultural landscapes, and biocultural heritage. She has professional experience with UNESCO and ICCROM and is also involved in heritage education. ​

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Theodoros Alexandridis

Theodoros Alexandridis is an urban planner working at the intersection of cultural heritage, sustainable tourism, and EU-funded projects. He works as a Project Officer on European research and innovation initiatives in collaboration with universities and local authorities. He is actively involved in Europa Nostra and Youth.Heritage.Europe.

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Timothé
​Vasconcelos

Timothé Vasconcelos is a French researcher in cultural heritage with a background in history and cultural heritage studies. His research focuses on heritage as a tool of cultural diplomacy, with particular attention to French cultural influence abroad. His interests include cultural policy and international heritage cooperation. ​​

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Ulrika
​Stevens

Ulrika Stevens is a geographer focusing on the relationship between people, space, and place. Her work centres on citizen participation, socio-spatial justice, and inclusive urban development informed by local history and heritage. She has experience in climate advocacy and youth policy at local and national levels.

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