ESACH and Hispania Nostra organize the biggest in-person youth-led heritage forum tackling the triple transformation in depopulated areas.

In the heart of Spain’s Teruel region, the medieval town of Albarracín became a vibrant centre for cultural dialogue as it hosted a youth-led conference under the EU-funded European Heritage Hub pilot project. Organized by ESACH and Hispania Nostra, the event took place between 26 - 30 March 2025 and brought together approximately 60 students, young professionals, and heritage experts from more than 15 countries from Europe and beyond, to explore how cultural heritage can contribute to Europe’s “triple transformation”- green, digital, and social.

​A Historic Setting for a Forward-Looking Debate

Declared a National Monument in 1961, Albarracín, with its winding streets, terracotta roofs, and ancient architecture, offered a striking setting for the conference. The town served as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage amid contemporary societal shifts.
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As the local partner, we had the pleasure to collaborate with the Fundación Santa María de Albarracín, a non-profit foundation that has played a crucial role over the past 28 years in restoring and revitalising the town and was the laureate of both European Heritage Award as well as Hispania Nostra Award. The foundation’s dedication to sustainable heritage management made Albarracín not just a venue, but a living case study for the conference’s aims.

Youth Voices at the Forefront of "Depopulation, Youth and Cultural Heritage"
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The work of European Heritage Hub was presented by Jasna Popovic, ESACH Secretary and Coordinator of youth activities in the consortium, while Sorina Neacsu, ESACH President presented 3-year-long work on the Position Paper: Youth for the future of cultural heritage in Europe setting up the stage for the fruitful debate on the youth role and contribution in the heritage sector across different topics.

The programme was built around five youth-led roundtable discussions, each addressing a key aspect of the triple transformation:

1. Urban vs. Rural - Exploring the contrasts and complementarities in how urban and rural areas manage and value cultural heritage.
2. From Preservation to Regeneration - Focusing on how heritage can drive sustainable development and contribute to the green economy.
3. Digital Transformation and Depopulation - Highlighting how digital tools can combat depopulation and engage younger generations in heritage efforts.
4. Cultural Heritage’s Impact on Rural Society - Investigating the role of heritage in strengthening community identity and cohesion in depopulating areas.
5. Future of Cultural Heritage for Youth - Discussing opportunities and challenges for young people in shaping the future of the cultural heritage sector. These roundtables enabled participants to share insights, exchange ideas, and propose innovative solutions to today’s interconnected challenges.

Collective Action and Tangible Results

The conference has also provided a platform for the presentation of 8 different spin-off events on the topic of on-the-ground implementation of the principles from the mentioned Position Paper. Organisers of these events transmitted the main messages and conclusions and contributed to the ongoing work of updating the Position Paper ESACH is conducting.

Finally, participants had the opportunity to visit several heritage sites in the broader region of Aragon. These guided tours provided a background information on the particularities of the heritage management in the rural and abandoned areas. With that knowledge, a hands-on workshop presented participants with a real-life challenge faced by the local heritage professionals. Young professionals were tasked with developing proposals to address depopulation through cultural heritage while also tackling the phenomenon of over tourism.

Advancing the European Heritage Hub's Mission
 
The Albarracín conference was a clear embodiment of the European Heritage Hub’s vision: to connect stakeholders, promote inclusivity, and strengthen the role of cultural heritage in Europe’s green, digital, and social transitions. By empowering young voices, the event not only contributed to policy discussions but also reinforced the capacity of heritage to inspire innovation and resilience.
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As Europe faces rapid transformation, events like this underscore the importance of heritage not only as a legacy of the past but as a dynamic force shaping the future. Through thoughtful dialogue and collaborative action, Albarracín demonstrated that cultural heritage can indeed lead the way in building a more sustainable, connected, and inclusive society.  ​

European Heritage Hub News Item

The Event Program

Conference Booklet

*Disclaimer: All pictures were taken by Ángel Marín Berral, Héctor Manuel Aliaga de Miguel, Karla Iulia Elkan, and Theodoros Alexandridis, and rights were given to ESACH for publication.