INNOCASTLE – INNOvating policy instruments for historic CASTLEs, manors and estates
In-depth analysis of the Romanian situation, upcoming study visits and meetings
An international team of experts and policy makers participated at the first Innocastle study visit. The picture was taken at the Marghiloman Manor in Hagiesti. Photo_ Vlad Bâscă
Innocastle is an Interreg Europe funded project started in June 2018. Supported by a knowledge partner, National Trust, four partners from Romania, Belgium, The Netherlands and Spain will work for 4,5 years on improving regional and national policies influencing historic castles manors and estates.
Since the project started, a common methodology was developed by University College Ghent and partners are currently gathering data about each policy instrument. Each partner will organize a first meeting with local stakeholders by May 2019. Each meeting will bring together stakeholders from various competencies such as heritage, tourism, culture, nature, landscape, rural development to analyze local policy instruments. Innocastle strives to involve multiple actors and to investigate place-based solutions for historic castles, manors and estates.
“It is very important for us to stimulate cooperation between various stakeholders in Romania through this project, to create innovative policy instruments that are adapted to local opportunities.” – Raluca Barbulescu – National Institute of Heritage, Romania.
Study visit at The House with the Coat of Arms in Chiojdu, Romania. Photo_ Vlad Bâscă
Partners have so far visited several Romanian cases. Romania has approximately 1000 castles and manors, of which 10% are in an advanced state of deterioration, according to a study by the ARCHÉ Association in 2015. Castles and manors have an enormous potential to become drivers for innovation and tourism, but this will not happen by itself. A shared vision, regional cooperation and political support is essential. An in-depth report and a video of the visit can be found here: https://www.interregeurope.eu/innocastle/news/news-article/5107/learning-report-study-visit-romania/.
Other study visits to the United Kingdom (May 2019) and the Netherlands (June 2019) are currently being prepared.
Read more: http://interregeurope.eu/innocastle
Partners: National Institute for Heritage (Romania), Ghent University College (Belgium), Province of Badajoz (Spain), National Trust (United Kingdom) and the Province of Gelderland (The Netherlands).