Hands-on Cooperation The Regional Restoration Camps Experience in the Balkans

Regional Restoration Camps (RRC) are a training model (internationally recognized in 2014 with a Europa Nostra Award) that work towards dialogue and understanding by creating ‘safe spaces,’ within which participants focus on learning and applying knowledge — about heritage and about each other. The practical works of Camps are organized in a way to foster trust through team working and achievement that in turn enhances conditions for personal trust, greater togetherness and compassion. The camps are planned and implemented so that young professionals and crafts persons, both women and men, from Southeast Europe can meet and learn about each other and their respective cultural backgrounds. By fostering personal understanding, CHwB is contributing toward the creation of new cultural policies based on dialogue and works toward preventing conflicts like those the region suffered in the 1990s. Since 2007, there have been 32 Camps and the topics explored and studied have included building restoration, artefact conservation, community development, interpretation, entrepreneurship and management of cultural heritage. The development of these camps has been supported and encouraged by international professionals, educational institutions and multilateral donors. CHwB wishes to share their good practice developed over the last 10 years and expand their model of utilizing cultural heritage as a focus for peace building and reconciliation. The idea of the Regional Restoration Camps can be extended to other areas pre or post conflict. This paper will describe the methodology of the camps as well as ideas for implementation in other regions of the world.