On 14^_15 May, the Secretariat of the European Institute of Cultural Routes held a Training Seminar for interested candidates in the "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe" certification. The first day of the training was organised around several modules and workshops delivered by the Secretariat of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme, one external international expert in Cultural Routes and with the participation of some certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.

The workshops focused on the certification cycle, the highlights and the core activities of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme were conducted by Stefano Dominioni, Director of the European Institute of the Cultural Routes and Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement together with Carolina Clark, Project Manager at the European Institute of Cultural Routes.

The modules centered on the Governance, Communication, Branding, Sustainable Development of the Cultural Routes were delivered by Mike Robinson, Chair of Cultural Heritage, Nottingham University, United Kingdom.

Eight potential candidate networks have participated at this fruitful training: The Way of the Holy Grail, European Cultural Route of Sport, European Route of Historic Theatres, The Routes of Masonic Architecture and Heritage, Saint Francis' Ways, Singing Heritage Route, Network of European Royal Residences, "Kazantzaki - Zorba" Cultural Route.

Some of the certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe have participated in this seminar sharing with potential candidates their experiences and good practices in managing Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. In this regard, the Secretariat expresses its thanks for insightful and interesting presentations to Stefanie Bischof, Manager, The Hansa; Victor Sorenssen, Director, European Route of Jewish Heritage; Emanuela Panke, President, Iter Vitis Route; Simone Zagrodnik, Director, European Route of Historic Thermal Towns.

The second day of the Training Seminar represented the opportunity for the potential candidates to request an individual advisory meeting with the Secretariat of the Council of Europe Programme as to present their network and to receive feedback on their draft application.

The European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR) is the technical agency of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme that provides advice and recommendations to candidate networks willing to apply for to the "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe" certification.