The Preserving the Past, Securing the Future (PPSF) Training Programme is firmly grounded in an in-depth needs and market analysis carried out across the WWII remembrance and cultural heritage sector. The results were clear: institutions are eager to act on sustainability, but often lack the tools, training, and visibility to do so effectively. PPSF was designed to respond directly to these challenges.
One key finding showed that visitors are increasingly aware of sustainability issues and expect cultural institutions to reflect these values. PPSF supports organisations in integrating sustainability into their visitor experience, helping them better engage younger and international audiences while increasing visitor satisfaction, loyalty, and positive word-of-mouth.
The analysis also highlighted a significant gap in staff training on sustainability and inclusion. PPSF addresses this by equipping participants with practical skills and strategies for sustainable site management that can be applied in daily operations. Importantly, the programme encourages participants to share and disseminate these skills internally, strengthening the capacity of entire teams and ensuring a common level of understanding across the organisation.
Another challenge identified was visibility. Nearly a third of visitors did not notice existing sustainable initiatives, pointing to a clear communication gap. PPSF helps institutions to understand and improve how they communicate and tell the story of their sustainability efforts, ensuring these actions are visible, meaningful, and credible, while also providing guidance on how to communicate responsibly and avoid greenwashing.
Finally, the analysis confirmed that sustainability and community engagement are increasingly essential for funding and partnerships. By participating in PPSF, institutions demonstrate a proactive commitment to EU priorities, strengthening their position when applying for EU and national funding and building partnerships with cultural, educational, and civic organisations that share similar values.
By responding directly to the sector’s needs, PPSF offers a practical and forward-looking pathway to ensure WWII remembrance and cultural heritage institutions remain relevant, resilient, and impactful in the years to come.
You can read our full report, along with other useful articles, in the Resources section of this website.