This event is organised by the NEB Lab Renovation, transformation and renewal of church buildings and religious heritage in the EU and is a satellite event of the New European Bauhaus Festival 2026 (9-13 June).
New European Bauhaus Festival – Satellite Event
Across Europe, thousands of churches and other religious buildings face underuse, closure, or degradation. At the same time, communities in both urban and rural areas are searching for inclusive spaces that foster social cohesion, cultural participation, and sustainable local development.
FRH, COMECE and the Catholic Private University Linz, are delighted to invite you to the online event “Connected by heritage: Reactivating historic places of worship for a more sustainable, inclusive and aesthetic Europe”. This event will feature three members of the NEB Lab Renovation, transformation and renewal of church buildings and religious heritage in the EU to present current revitalisation perspectives and community-driven initiatives aimed at ensuring that religious heritage sites remain useful and meaningful spaces at the heart of towns and villages.
Following the presentation of the case studies, the audience will be invited to join an open exchange on transformative solutions to preserve and enhance the beauty and relevance of sacred spaces while unlocking new forms of use and social value.
The event will take place on 12 June 2026 from 12:00 to 13:30 CET.
Agenda
12:00 | Welcome by Jordi Mallarach, Executive Officer of FRH
12:10 | Presentation of case studies
– CECAS at Myross Wood House (West Cork, Ireland), by Ana Ospina, Managing Director of CECAS
– Vrijetijdshuis De Moer (Vosselaar, Belgium), by Roel de Ridder, coordinator of the Platform Toekomst Parochiekerken
– St Peter’s Church (Vucht, the Netherlands) by Lilian Grootswagers, owner of Erfgoed. nu
13:00 Q&A with the audience
13:20 Closing remarks
13:30 End of the event
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