About the School
The 1st International School on Landscape, Heritage and Sustainable Development (Cilento 2026) is an intensive, interdisciplinary training and co-design programme addressing territorial development through an integrated perspective on landscape, cultural heritage, local governance and climate transition.
Hosted in Cilento, Marina di Ascea, the School brings together emerging researchers and professionals to engage with key challenges related to landscape governance, climate change and local development. The programme combines high-level scientific lectures, applied fieldwork and a continuous Policy Lab.
Across the thematic days, participants work in interdisciplinary teams, apply analytical tools, engage with case studies and interact with international experts and local stakeholders.
Policy Lab
A distinctive feature of the School is the continuous Policy Lab, where participants co-design policy briefs, development project concepts and territorial strategies, integrating scientific insights with real-world applications.
The School bridges academic research and professional practice, equipping participants with transferable skills in policy analysis, project design, stakeholder engagement and territorial diagnostics.
Programme structure
Day 1 · Landscape, Policy and Socio-Ecological Systems
Landscape as a common good and strategic resource for territorial cohesion, with fieldwork and the launch of the Policy Lab.
Day 2 · Cultural Heritage, Economy and Innovation
Heritage economics, innovation, public-private partnerships and applied heritage management through field experience.
Day 3 · Cohesion Policy and Local Development
Governance of peripheral areas, territorial cohesion, rural development and co-design for local strategies.
Day 4 · Climate, Landscape and Territorial Strategies
Climate transition, place-based strategies and the finalisation of policy briefs and pilot project proposals.
