Join Us for the Closing Conference of Preserving the Past, Securing the Future

09:30-13:00 on Tuesday 8 September 2026, European Committee of the Regions, Brussels

The closing conference of the Preserving the Past, Securing the Future (PPSF) project: A Sustainable Approach to Cultural and Remembrance Heritage, taking place in Brussels, will mark the culmination of two years of collaboration, research, training, and exchange across the WWII remembrance and cultural heritage tourism sector.

The PPSF project was created to support stakeholders in integrating environmental, social, and economic sustainability practices into their museums, memorials, and remembrance tourism organisations. From the initial needs and market analyses of sustainability in the sector, to the in-person trainings, study visits, peer-learning and mentoring, to the final report on sustainable practices encompassing the experiences and lessons learnt, the project has explored how remembrance sites can remain meaningful, resilient, and accessible for future generations while responding to contemporary sustainability challenges.

The Closing Conference will bring together sector professionals, policymakers, tourism stakeholders, researchers, and sustainability experts to reflect on the project’s achievements, explore the future of sustainable remembrance practice, and discuss how to ensure the work continues.

What to Expect

The half-day conference will showcase the outcomes and impact of the PPSF project, highlighting key achievements, lessons learned, and practical recommendations developed throughout its implementation.

Participants will gain insight into the project’s main outputs, including:

• Presentation of key results and achievements
• Insights from pilot actions and collaboration across partners
• Reflections on project impact at local and European level

They will also learn about the project’s final Sustainable Practices Report, bringing together case studies, practical tools, and evidence-based recommendations for heritage practitioners and policymakers that can be applied across different heritage and remembrance contexts.

Participants will also hear directly from project partners and sector experts during two panel discussions: ‘From Pilot Actions to Practice: What Really Works?’ focusing on lessons learned from the project’s pilot activities and transferable good practices, and ‘From Project Results to Policy Impact’ discussing future policy directions and the long-term legacy and uptake of the PPSF initiative.

The conference is organised by the LRE Foundation in collaboration with project partners Mascontour, the Juno Beach Centre, and Fondazione Campus.

Why Attend?

The conference offers a valuable opportunity to:

• Reflect on the progress and achievements of the PPSF project.
• Explore practical tools and recommendations for sustainable remembrance practice.
• Learn from real-world case studies and sector experiences.
• Discuss future opportunities and challenges for sustainable cultural heritage tourism.
• Connect with a growing network of professionals committed to responsible remembrance and heritage management.
• Contribute to ongoing discussions about the long-term stewardship of WWII remembrance sites.

More than simply concluding a project, the Closing Conference aims to strengthen the momentum created throughout PPSF and support continued collaboration across the sector. By sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, and presenting practical solutions, the event will help ensure that the project’s impact continues well beyond its formal end — empowering heritage professionals and tourism stakeholders to advance sustainable practices for years to come.

PLEASE NOTE this event takes place at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels and participants must sign up in advance of the event to be allowed entry on the day.