Green skills, gamification and cross-cultural communication for improved heritage projects

Summary

The project supported heritage workers, cultural actors, and community developers in rural areas by offering training and mentoring in sustainability, inclusion, digitalisation, innovation, and international collaboration, supported by two practical guides developed within the partnership. It empowered rural cultural centres to design inclusive, future-oriented projects that showcase local natural and cultural heritage.

“It was a truly valuable, transformative learning experience. I learned about digital tools and sustainability, but also observed people’s attitudes, cultures, and expressions, and what captures young people’s attention today.”

Topic(s) addressed

• Common values
• Civic engagement and participation - educated citizens have an incentive to become involved with their local (historic) community and spread the knowledge and appreciation they have gained.  

Target group(s)  

• Local cultural and heritage professionals and adult educators from Romania and The Netherlands.  

Methodologies used

The project integrated sustainability, cross-cultural communication, intergenerational learning, digitalisation, gamification, and co-creation into all learning activities. Participants designed and implemented local heritage projects that combined these elements. The curriculum and courses focused on developing key competences, which were assessed through active participation, project work, feedback sessions, and reflection activities. A blended course model was created for heritage workers, combining formal learning (curriculum-based modules), non-formal learning (workshops, study visits, treasure hunt games), and informal learning (peer exchanges, cultural visits, photography, and discussions). External stakeholders were also actively engaged throughout the process.

Innovation environment

The project fostered innovation by mentoring local cultural actors to rediscover their natural and cultural heritage as a “learning universe” through the perspectives of international visitors and younger generations. Participants developed competences and gained hands-on experience in reimagining heritage as a tool for education, identity, and sustainability. A positive, trust-based educational climate was cultivated through cross-generational, cooperative projects with local stakeholders. The learning environment placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, using durable, reusable materials - such as wooden games and erasable worksheets - and showcasing traditional skills like weaving and bread-making as examples of responsible resource use.

Teachers’ role

Adult educators acted as facilitators, mentors, and co-learners, guiding participants through a complete experiential learning cycle. They began by conducting interviews to identify learners’ needs, adopting a listening and supportive role. Based on this input, they co-created a curriculum and e-course. During the transnational study visit, educators designed a structured yet flexible learning programme that enabled participants to build on their strengths and pursue personalised learning goals. Later, they shifted to a mentoring role, providing guidance and supporting autonomy while maintaining open communication. Finally, they facilitated reflection and peer feedback, sustaining a supportive, learner-centred environment throughout the process.

Impact and output

The participants enhanced their understanding of key concepts related to co-creation, design thinking, and serious game design, while also improving their English language skills, increasing their awareness of cultural heritage, strengthening their ICT competences, and experimenting with gamification. The participating organisations advanced their educational efforts in serious game design and design thinking, deepened their cooperation with rural communities, and gained greater awareness of the challenges and objectives faced by cultural organisations in spreading cultural heritage to diverse audiences. Cultural organisations involved in the project also received guidance on structuring their own heritage projects.

Learn more about the project