On November 25, 2024, the Regional Center Sofia-UNESCO held a meeting with representatives from universities in Bulgaria and Southeastern Europe. The event, organized in a hybrid format—live in Sofia and online—focused on integrating intangible cultural heritage (ICH) into educational programs and fostering future cooperation between institutions.
The meeting was attended by universities from Bulgaria, Albania, Armenia, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Turkey, and Ukraine.

The European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF), accredited by UNESCO as a partner for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, welcomed initiatives that strengthen ties between educational and cultural institutions. Through its platform and international events, EAFF promotes the dissemination of ICH and collaboration among various stakeholders.

During the meeting, universities discussed the challenges related to teaching ICH, including a lack of interest among young people and the need to create innovative programs to capture their attention. Participants also shared best practices related to fieldwork, developing heritage management programs, and creating projects for informal education.

The event highlighted the importance of an interdisciplinary approach and enhanced partnerships between academia and other institutions, such as NGOs. The Regional Center will coordinate the next steps, including the creation of a shared platform for exchanging resources and ideas.

The meeting was an important step toward building a more effective network of universities dedicated to safeguarding living heritage.

EAFF will continue to support the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage through its network of festivals and initiatives.