3 New Opportunities for Sustainable Development

In the coming months, at ID20 Institute, we are launching three new projects that pertain to the fields of cultural heritage and sustainable development. At the same time, these activities meaningfully involve the local community and youth. All three projects will be carried out in Idrija and its surroundings.

FormaRural – Entrepreneurial Skills for Local Cultural Actors

In 2024, we continue the successful story of the Common Good project with the new initiative FormaRural. This project will also focus on artisans, craftsmen, and local artists, with an emphasis on activities that contribute to the preservation and promotion of local cultural heritage in three rural areas: Idrijsko-Cerkljan in Slovenia, Cinfães municipality in Portugal and Târgu Frumos in Romania.

With this project, we want to spread entrepreneurial skills in local communities, as our previous project showed that this area is the most deficient. Through six interesting thematic workshops, covering everything from digital to marketing skills, we will enable participants to acquire knowledge and skills that will strengthen their independence, networking skills, and the visibility of local cultural heritage. We will conclude the project during the holiday season with a market organized by the participants, who will have the opportunity to present and sell their products.

SecreTour – Developing Digital Nomadism

Tourism is more than travel and consumption; has great potential for sustainable development, especially in focusing on cultural and natural heritage and acquiring new knowledge and skills. The SecreTour project will highlight cultural tourism, which can serve as a driver of innovation and cooperation. Tourism brings new benefits to rural communities, especially additional income and greater recognition of the area. As part of the wider European partnership within the Horizon Europe program, the SECreTour consortium will shed light on the conditions, needs, and wishes of local communities and promote alternative business ideas in tourism. Through a series of pilot activities, cultural heritage will be emphasized as a driver of sustainable and fair development of local communities.

As part of the project, the ID20 Institute will continue the work in the field of digital nomadism, which we explored in the Nomadland project. It will connect two areas that characterize our work – digital nomads and mining houses. In addition to raising awareness and strengthening knowledge and skills in the field of digital nomadism, we want to develop a sustainable business model for attracting digital nomads to Idrija, especially in connection with mining houses. We are also planning a pilot retreat in Idrija.

Planet Pulse – Sustainable Solutions for Youth

Project Planet Pulse: Youth Rising Above Climate Anxiety focuses on educating and supporting young people in addressing climate challenges. At the ID20 Institute, we offer opportunities for sustainable solutions that draw from the past and use heritage as inspiration for solving future challenges.

The project aims to empower young people to effectively address climate change, emphasizing awareness, education, and collaboration. Through innovative approaches such as guides, digital platforms, and virtual events, the project is committed to a sustainable future and overcoming climate anxiety among youth.

In a two-year project, running from May 2024 to April 2026, we will create an educational guide for young people on climate change, develop a digital platform to help youth understand their climate-related feelings, prepare freely accessible educational materials, establish a digital platform for connecting youth with climate stakeholders, and conduct a week of virtual learning, workshops, and interactions, called the Planet Pulse Virtual Learning Week.