The Role of NGOs in Protecting and Preserving Cultural Heritage in the EU: The Case of Slovenia-Austria Cross-Border Program

The core part of this chapter is an analysis of how is the cultural heritage present in the EU Policies and in the Slovenia-Austria Interreg V Program in the previous and present multi-annual financial framework (2014-2020 and 2021-2027). The special focus is on the role of NGOs in protecting and preserving cultural heritage at the level of Slovenia. The final section identifies an example of a project idea titled HEGIRA-Heritage in Your Hands where NGOs in the field of cultural heritage are accepted as project partners. A historic forge in Bad Eisenkappel (Austria) serves as an authentic location to establish a "Centre for Forgotten Arts" where NGOs could play a distinctive role. Due to its strategically beneficial position, the center will serve as a gateway to Slovenia and bundle cross-border intangible cultural heritage offers. The implementation of the "Craftsmen in Residence" workshop series--aimed at schools, tourists, and interested citizens--will facilitate knowledge transfer and contribute to safeguarding traditional craftsmanship. HEGIRA builds capacity by connecting actors and institutions to develop an integrated cross-border tourist product, which will serve as a role model and can be transferred to other regions with similar territorial challenges and opportunities.