INTO Members shine at Europa Nostra Awards

This week, three INTO member organisations were honoured with prestigious European Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards at a grand ceremony in Bucharest. We are immensely proud of the National Trust of Georgia, National Trust Hardwick Hall and Boulouki in Greece. Their remarkable achievements highlight the power of heritage conservation and community engagement.

Our collaboration with the National Trust of Georgia, REMPART in France, the National Trust (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and Chudow Castle Foundation in Poland earned a Grand Prix of €10,000, enabling continued volunteer and community-driven heritage conservation across Georgia.

Catherine Leonard, INTO Secretary-General, emphasized the project’s extraordinary spirit of peacebuilding and European unity, bringing together diverse communities to share knowledge and skills. This initiative not only restored a beautiful tower. It also inspired ongoing efforts in heritage conservation and civil society development in Georgia.

Find out more about the project here.

Education, Training, and Skills Award: Boulouki – Travelling Workshop on Traditional Building

Boulouki, a collective of architects, engineers, and heritage professionals, received this award for their dedication to revitalizing traditional craftsmanship. Their innovative approach includes hands-on workshops, professional apprenticeships, and community participation initiatives. A standout initiative Under the Landscape involved the participatory restoration of a cobblestone pathway and rainwater cisterns in Santorini. This remarkable project showcases the transformative power of heritage in promoting sustainable development.

Conservation and Adaptive Reuse Award: Gideon Tapestries, Hardwick Hall, UK

The conservation of the Gideon Tapestries at Hardwick Hall, a 24-year project, exemplifies the National Trust’s commitment to preservation. This meticulous effort has safeguarded these significant tapestries for future generations, enhancing their readability and understanding. The project also pioneered new techniques in textile restoration and provided valuable educational opportunities for interns.

Citizens Engagement and Awareness-Raising Award: Citizens’ Rehabilitation of the Tsiskarauli Tower, Georgia

This project brought international volunteers and the local community together to restore the Tsiskarauli Tower, a remote monument in the Caucasus Mountains. Despite numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, the project succeeded in stabilising the tower and promoting heritage conservation. It also fostered international collaboration and peacebuilding, demonstrating the power of collective restoration efforts.

We extend our gratitude to ALIPH – International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas for funding our project rehabilitating a missile-struck tower in Georgia.  To Europa Nostra for recognising that modest projects are as important as multi-million ones. To Emma Taylor and Alexander Lamont Bishop for their exceptional project management and creativity on the Georgia project. Their efforts, along with the support of partners like REMPART and the Chudow Castle Foundation, have been instrumental in these successes.

These awards underscore the importance of heritage conservation and the impact of collaborative efforts. We look forward to continuing to work with our members and partners to preserve and celebrate our shared heritage.