DIEM International Training of Trainers Programme 2026: Apply for the International Cultural Heritage Capacity-Building Programme

The DIEM Project (Developing Inclusive Education in the Mediterranean) has officially launched its Call for Applications for the International Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme, a specialised international capacity-building opportunity for professionals, researchers, academics and institutional representatives working in the field of Cultural Heritage.

The programme is designed to strengthen participants’ professional knowledge, practical competencies and international networks in areas such as Cultural Heritage management, conservation, documentation, governance and communication. It will combine online theoretical learning, practical online training and an international workshop in Jordan.

Applications are currently open, and interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the stated deadline.

DIEM International Training of Trainers Programme 2026 at a Glance

• Programme: DIEM International Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme
• Project: Developing Inclusive Education in the Mediterranean (DIEM)
• Field: Cultural Heritage
• Training format: Online training plus an international workshop
• Training language: English
• Total online training: 40 hours
• International workshop: Jordan
• Workshop duration: 4–5 days
• Expected workshop period: Early 2027
• Application deadline: 31 August 2026
• Travel and accommodation: Covered for selected participants, subject to the DIEM Project’s applicable rules
• Application method: Online application form

The DIEM project is an international initiative focused on strengthening education, skills development and employment opportunities connected to Cultural Heritage across the Mediterranean. The wider project involves six countries: Italy, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Spain and Palestine.

What Is the DIEM International Training of Trainers Programme?

The International Training of Trainers Programme is a capacity-building component of the DIEM project aimed at developing a group of professionals and academic or institutional actors who can contribute to stronger Cultural Heritage education and management.

Cultural Heritage sites require professionals who understand not only preservation and conservation, but also how heritage can be documented, managed, communicated and integrated into broader educational and development strategies.

The DIEM ToT programme therefore takes a comprehensive approach. Participants will be exposed to theoretical knowledge, practical methodologies, international best practices and collaborative activities that can help them develop or improve management and communication plans for selected heritage sites.

The programme also contributes to DIEM’s broader cascade-training approach. The project plans to train 85 site managers and professors in Group A, who can subsequently contribute to training other target groups within the project.

Who Is the Programme Designed For?

The call specifically targets people with professional, academic or institutional involvement in Cultural Heritage.

Potential applicants include:

• Heritage site managers
• Museum managers
• Representatives of public institutions
• University professors
• Researchers
• Cultural Heritage professionals

The programme is therefore not presented as a general course for anyone interested in history or culture. It is aimed at individuals who already have a professional, academic or institutional connection to Cultural Heritage and can potentially use the knowledge gained through the programme in their organisations, institutions, heritage sites or educational activities.

Key Areas Covered by the Training

The programme will provide participants with knowledge and practical exposure across several important Cultural Heritage disciplines.

1. Cultural Heritage Management

Participants will explore approaches to managing Cultural Heritage resources and sites in a sustainable and effective manner.

Heritage management involves balancing preservation with education, public engagement, institutional responsibilities and the long-term sustainability of heritage assets.

2. Conservation

The training will introduce participants to important principles and approaches related to the conservation of Cultural Heritage.

This area is particularly relevant to professionals responsible for protecting heritage assets from deterioration, inappropriate intervention and other threats.

3. Documentation

Proper documentation is fundamental to Cultural Heritage management.

The programme will address documentation as part of the wider process of understanding, recording and managing heritage resources. Strong documentation can support decision-making, conservation planning, research, communication and future management activities.

4. Governance

The programme will also examine Cultural Heritage governance and the role of institutions and stakeholders in managing heritage resources.

Effective governance can involve cooperation between public institutions, academic organisations, heritage professionals, local communities and other relevant stakeholders.

5. International Best Practices

Participants will have the opportunity to learn from international experts and approaches to Cultural Heritage management.

This international perspective is an important component of the programme because it allows participants to compare experiences, exchange knowledge and understand how different approaches can be adapted to their own professional contexts.

Structure of the DIEM Training Programme

The programme will be delivered through three main phases, combining online learning with an international practical workshop.

Phase 1: Theoretical Online Training

The first phase will consist of 20 hours of online theoretical training, scheduled to begin from mid-September 2026.

The sessions will be delivered in English by international experts.

The theoretical component is expected to provide participants with a common foundation before they progress to the more practical elements of the programme.

Key areas include:

• Cultural Heritage management
• Conservation
• Documentation
• Governance
• International best practices

Participants will therefore begin by developing and strengthening their theoretical understanding of the key concepts that underpin effective Cultural Heritage management.

Phase 2: Applied Online Training

The second phase will consist of another 20 hours of online training, expected to begin from mid-October 2026.

Unlike the first phase, this component will place greater emphasis on application and interaction.

Participants will work through practical sessions designed to support the development of Management and Communication Plans for selected Cultural Heritage pilot sites.

This applied component is particularly important because it gives participants an opportunity to move beyond theoretical knowledge and consider how the concepts learned during the programme can be translated into practical planning.

The training can therefore help participants develop skills in areas such as:

• Planning for Cultural Heritage sites
• Developing management approaches
• Preparing communication strategies
• Applying professional knowledge to real heritage contexts
• Working collaboratively with other professionals
• Sharing and evaluating different approaches

Phase 3: International Workshop in Jordan

The third phase will take participants beyond the online learning environment.

Selected participants will attend an international workshop in Jordan, expected to take place for approximately 4–5 days in early 2027.

The Jordan workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to work directly with DIEM experts and other participants in an international environment.

During the workshop, selected participants are expected to:

• Work with DIEM experts on pilot-site Management and Communication Plans
• Participate in practical activities
• Contribute to the development of the Groups B and C Training Toolkit
• Exchange knowledge and experiences with participants from other contexts
• Strengthen international professional cooperation
• Apply knowledge acquired during the online training

One of the significant advantages of this component is the opportunity for practical and international exposure.

Travel and Accommodation Support

For participants selected to attend the international workshop in Jordan, the DIEM Project will cover travel and accommodation costs, subject to the project’s applicable rules.

Applicants should nevertheless carefully review the official participation conditions and ToT Syllabus before applying because the coverage is stated as being subject to project rules.

Training Language and Accessibility

The entire online training programme will be delivered in English.

This means that applicants should be prepared to participate in English-language lectures, discussions and practical activities.

The programme will also provide additional accessibility measures.

Recordings of lectures will be made available after each session through the DIEM digital platform. In addition, subtitles in the languages of the project partners are planned to support wider accessibility and participation.

This can be particularly useful for participants who may not be able to attend every live online session or who want to revisit particular training materials.

Why This Programme Is Important

Cultural Heritage is not only about preserving historical buildings, monuments, museums or archaeological sites. Effective heritage management also involves education, communication, documentation, governance, community engagement and sustainable development.

The DIEM project recognises the need to strengthen these skills across the Mediterranean.

According to the project, DIEM seeks to address the gap between the region’s rich Cultural Heritage and limited access to inclusive education and employment opportunities. Its broader activities include training Cultural Heritage professionals, supporting humanities graduates and developing skills among vulnerable groups.

The project also seeks to create a cooperative model for Cultural Heritage education and professional development across participating countries.

International Networking and Knowledge Exchange

Another important feature of the ToT programme is its international dimension.

Participants will come into contact with professionals, researchers, academics and institutional representatives working within different Cultural Heritage environments.

This can create opportunities for:

• International knowledge exchange
• Professional networking
• Sharing Cultural Heritage management experiences
• Learning from different institutional approaches
• Developing international collaborations
• Understanding Cultural Heritage challenges from a Mediterranean perspective

The wider DIEM project involves partners from Italy, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Spain and Palestine, creating a cross-country network connecting Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

How the Programme Connects to the Wider DIEM Project

The ToT programme is part of a broader DIEM strategy rather than an isolated training course.

The project plans to develop a cascade model in which trained professionals and academics can contribute to the development of further training activities.

According to DIEM’s project information, the wider initiative includes:

1. Training 85 site managers and professors as Group A.
2. Providing cascade training for 110 unemployed humanities graduates as Group B.
3. Developing skills among 560 vulnerable individuals, including women, NEETs and rural youth, through Group C activities.
4. Developing multilingual e-learning resources and an inclusion strategy.
5. Creating management plans and communication strategies for 10 pilot Cultural Heritage sites.
6. Strengthening cooperation among public authorities, municipalities, universities, research centres, cultural enterprises and other stakeholders.

This means that the ToT programme has a potential multiplier effect: participants are not only expected to gain knowledge for their own professional development but can become part of a wider system for transferring Cultural Heritage knowledge and skills.

Who Should Consider Applying?

The programme may be particularly relevant to professionals who are already involved in:

• Managing museums or heritage sites
• Cultural Heritage research
• Heritage conservation
• University teaching and academic research
• Public-sector Cultural Heritage administration
• Cultural Heritage documentation
• Heritage communication
• Cultural Heritage education and training
• Institutional management of Cultural Heritage resources

Applicants should consider whether they can actively participate in the full training process, including the online components and, if selected, the international workshop in Jordan.

Geographical Scope of the Opportunity

The DIEM project operates across six participating countries:

• Italy
• Spain
• Egypt
• Tunisia
• Jordan
• Palestine

These countries span three geographical regions/continents: Europe, Africa and Asia. Italy and Spain are in Europe; Egypt and Tunisia are in Africa; while Jordan and Palestine are in Asia.

The official DIEM project information identifies these six countries as the countries involved in the project.

Applicants should therefore consult the official ToT Syllabus and application requirements carefully to confirm the precise eligibility conditions applicable to individual applicants before submitting an application.

Application Process

Interested candidates are required to complete the official online application form.

The application should be submitted electronically through the designated application platform.

Candidates should ensure that they carefully review the eligibility requirements, selection criteria, training structure and participation conditions before submitting their application.

                                                      APPLY HERE

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is:

31 August 2026

Applicants should not wait until the final day to submit their applications. Completing the application early allows candidates sufficient time to review their information, correct errors and ensure that all required sections have been completed.

Important Dates

The programme follows a multi-stage schedule:

• 31 August 2026: Application deadline
• Mid-September 2026: Phase 1 theoretical online training begins
• Mid-October 2026: Phase 2 applied online training begins
• Early 2027: International workshop in Jordan
• International workshop duration: Approximately 4–5 days

These dates are based on the published call and may be subject to adjustments by the DIEM Project.

Tips for Applicants

Applicants can strengthen their preparation by making sure their application clearly demonstrates their connection to Cultural Heritage.

Before submitting, candidates should:

1. Clearly explain their current professional, academic or institutional role.
2. Highlight relevant experience in Cultural Heritage.
3. Demonstrate why the training is relevant to their work.
4. Show how they intend to apply the knowledge gained from the programme.
5. Carefully review the official eligibility requirements.
6. Ensure that the application is completed in English where required.
7. Review the ToT Syllabus before submitting the application.
8. Submit the application before 31 August 2026.

What Participants Can Gain From the Programme

The programme offers participants an opportunity to strengthen both technical knowledge and international professional exposure.

Participants can expect to develop or improve their understanding of:

• Cultural Heritage management
• Conservation approaches
• Heritage documentation
• Governance
• Communication and management planning
• International Cultural Heritage practices
• Training and knowledge-transfer approaches
• International cooperation and networking

The practical work can also provide participants with experience in developing Management and Communication Plans for heritage sites.

                   Learn more about this opportunity HERE

Conclusion

The DIEM International Training of Trainers Programme 2026 is a significant professional development opportunity for Cultural Heritage managers, museum professionals, university professors, researchers, public institution representatives and other professionals working in the heritage sector.

With 40 hours of online training, international expert-led sessions, applied learning, access to recorded lectures, practical work on Cultural Heritage management and communication plans, and an international workshop in Jordan, the programme provides a combination of theoretical learning, practical application and international knowledge exchange.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to professionals who want to strengthen their Cultural Heritage expertise while connecting with colleagues and institutions across the Mediterranean.

Eligible and interested candidates should carefully review the official programme information and submit their applications before the 31 August 2026 deadline.

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