How can we ensure that World War II heritage remains meaningful and accessible for future generations while embracing sustainable practices? This is the question at the heart of Preserving the Past, Securing the Future, a new project dedicated to integrating sustainability into the WWII remembrance and cultural heritage sector.
As part of the LRE Forum and Member Seminar 2025, a dedicated workshop was held on 11 March 2025 in Krakow to introduce the project to the LRE Foundation network of members and partners. We presented the project, heard form members who are already implementing sustainable practices at their sites, shared insights on sustainable heritage tourism and highlighted how to get involved in the project.
Opening the session, Emme Johnson, Project Manager at LREF, introduced the goals and activities planned over the coming two years. From tailored e-learning modules and hands-on workshops to study visits and mentoring, the PPSF project is about providing heritage sites and tourism professionals with practical tools and ideas to navigate the growing demands around environmental responsibility and community impact.
Next, Nicole Häusler, Senior Consultant at Mascontour, contributed her expertise and experience on the topic. She shared lessons from sites across Europe and explained how sustainable management can enhance both visitor experience and long-term site preservation. She outlined Mascontour’s training and consulting approach, which will be central to the PPSF Training Programme.
Camille Varin from Normandy Tourism added a practical dimension, presenting a rich case study on how the Region is reimagining its tourism offer through a sustainability lens. With actions that encourage low-carbon mobility, support local economies, and spread visitation more evenly across the year, Normandy is offering an interesting example on how destinations can adapt to new challenges while preserving their historical identity. This included the good practices being implemented by Juno Beach Centre, Canada’s Second World War museum and cultural centre located in Normandy.
The workshop closed with a Q&A session and attendees were encouraged to register their interest to stay up to date with the latest project news and opportunities. With more activities planned in Caen, Krakow, and Lucca, and the official opening conference on 13 June in Berlin, PPSF is inviting heritage professionals across Europe to connect, learn, and contribute to a more sustainable future for WWII remembrance tourism.