Applications Now Open for the First RCH Seasonal School on Heritage Adaptation to Climate Change

Fondazione CHANGES is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the first Seasonal School of the European Partnership for Resilient Cultural Heritage (RCH), an international training programme designed to equip heritage professionals, researchers, policymakers and students with the knowledge and skills needed to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the impact of climate change on cultural heritage.
As a proud member of the European Partnership for Resilient Cultural Heritage (RCH), Fondazione CHANGES is delighted to promote this unique learning opportunity, which marks one of the Partnership’s very first capacity-building initiatives. Delivered by The Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE), the Seasonal School will take place online from 5 to 15 October 2026, bringing together participants from across Europe and beyond for ten days of intensive learning, discussion and international exchange.

Building resilience through knowledge and collaboration

Climate change is profoundly transforming the way cultural heritage is protected, managed and valued. Increasingly frequent extreme weather events, rising temperatures, floods, wildfires and other environmental risks are placing heritage sites, collections and cultural landscapes under growing pressure.
The first RCH Seasonal School has been designed to help heritage professionals respond to these challenges by combining climate science with heritage conservation, providing participants with practical tools, interdisciplinary perspectives and real-world case studies to support climate adaptation.

Throughout the programme, participants will explore topics including:

• climate change and its impacts on cultural heritage;
• adaptation strategies and risk assessment;
• heritage conservation in a changing climate;
• community engagement and participatory approaches;
• digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence for heritage resilience;
• international case studies and practical applications.

By connecting scientific knowledge with practical experience, the programme aims to strengthen participants’ capacity to develop effective and sustainable adaptation strategies for heritage sites and collections.

Learn from internationally recognised experts

The Seasonal School will be led by internationally recognised experts in heritage and climate research, including:

• Dr Jennifer Richards
• Professor Peter Brimblecombe
• Dr Evangelos Kyriakidis

Their multidisciplinary expertise will offer participants valuable insights into the latest research, policy developments and practical approaches for building climate resilience across the heritage sector.

A global learning opportunity

The programme is open to:

• heritage professionals;
• conservators and museum practitioners;
• researchers and academics;
• students;
• policymakers and public authorities;
• professionals working at the intersection of cultural heritage, sustainability and climate action.

The Seasonal School will be delivered entirely online, making it accessible to participants from around the world.

Key information

Dates: 5–15 October 2026
Format: Online
Available places: 100 online participants
Participation: Free of charge (no registration or participation fees)

One of the first flagship initiatives of the European Partnership for Resilient Cultural Heritage

The Seasonal School represents the first step in a long-term capacity-building programme developed by the European Partnership for Resilient Cultural Heritage (RCH).

Supported by the European Commission, the Partnership brings together 95 organisations from 30 countries, including universities, research organisations, cultural heritage institutions, public authorities, SMEs and civil society organisations. By connecting cultural heritage, climate science, research, innovation and policy, RCH seeks to develop the knowledge, skills and solutions needed to strengthen the resilience of cultural heritage while unlocking its potential to contribute to climate action and sustainable development.

Through joint transnational research calls, Living Labs, Seasonal Schools, training programmes and knowledge exchange activities, the Partnership aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, support evidence-based policymaking and empower heritage professionals and communities across Europe and beyond.

Joining the first RCH Seasonal School means becoming part of the inaugural cohort of learners contributing to this ambitious European initiative and helping shape the future of climate-resilient cultural heritage.

Apply now

Applications are now officially open: LINK
If you are interested in cultural heritage, climate adaptation, sustainability and innovation, this is a unique opportunity to learn from leading international experts, connect with a global community of professionals and contribute to building a more resilient future for cultural heritage.
We look forward to welcoming the first generation of participants to the RCH Seasonal School.