Renovation School (Šola prenove) Wins Prestigious Europa Nostra Award 2026
The European Commission and Europa Nostra have announced the winners of the 2026 European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards. Among the 30 selected projects from across Europe is Šola prenove (Renovation School), a non-formal education programme focused on the master skills, crafts, and knowledge required for high-quality heritage restoration. This marks Slovenia’s third Europa Nostra Award.
The Renovation School (Šola prenove) was established in 2015 at the initiative of the Association of Historic Towns of Slovenia, in partnership with the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, the Faculty of Architecture, University of Ljubljana, and the Secondary School for Construction, Geodesy, Environmental Protection and Technical Gymnasium Ljubljana. Since its founding, the programme has systematically developed the transfer of traditional craftsmanship and restoration skills through education, hands-on fieldwork, and collaboration across disciplines and generations.
For the 2026 awards, a total of 261 applications were submitted by organisations and individuals from 40 European countries. Winners were selected by an expert jury composed of European heritage specialists, with the Renovation School receiving the award in the Education, Training, and Skills category.
The jury stated: “The Renovation School responds to a genuine need for skilled heritage restoration professionals through hands-on workshops based on traditional building crafts. Established at the initiative of the Association of Historic Towns of Slovenia, it demonstrates how partnerships between institutions, professionals, and communities can keep heritage alive while offering a model that can inspire similar initiatives elsewhere.”
The 2026 award represents only the third Europa Nostra recognition for Slovenia, following previous awards for the Presentation Pavilion of Archaeology in Celje and Plečnik House. As such, it carries particular significance – not only for the Renovation School, but also for the wider heritage community, professionals, property owners, and all those involved in restoration, from planners to craftspeople.
The awards will be presented at the official European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards ceremony on May 28, 2026, at the Municipal Theatre in Nicosia, with a live stream available on the Europa Nostra website. The Renovation School team is also inviting the public to take part in the 2026 Public Choice Award vote, open until May 12, 2026.
Source: the Association of Historic Towns of Slovenia
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