From 24 to 26 February 2026, project partners met in Gorlice, Poland, for a three-day event combining project workshops, a study visit, and the European WWI Heritage Forum. Hosted by the City of Gorlice, the meeting brought together representatives from across Europe to review project progress, exchange experiences, and discuss future cooperation in the field of First World War heritage governance.
The first day focused on project implementation and the results achieved so far within GOV4PeaCE. Partners presented and discussed pilot actions carried out in their functional territories, highlighting successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Special attention was given to the testing of the project’s digital governance tool and its potential role in supporting future cooperation between WWI heritage stakeholders. Discussions also addressed upcoming activities under Work Package 3, including the development of a transnational governance model, a digital support platform, and long-term cooperation mechanisms.
The second day featured a study visit across the Gorlice region, allowing participants to explore some of the most significant First World War heritage sites in the Polish Carpathians. The programme included visits to military cemeteries associated with the 1915 Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive, including sites in Gorlice, Łużna-Pustki, Sękowa, Konieczna-Beskidek, Gładyszów, and Małastowska Pass. Participants also visited the UNESCO-listed wooden church in Sękowa and learned about ongoing efforts to preserve and promote the region’s unique wartime heritage.
The event concluded with the European WWI Heritage Forum, which brought together project partners, experts, public authorities, and diplomatic representatives from several European countries. During the forum, participants discussed opportunities for strengthening transnational cooperation and creating a more connected interpretation of First World War heritage across Central and Eastern Europe.
A key topic of discussion was the development of the Carpathian Walk of Peace / WW1 initiative – a joint Polish-Slovak concept aimed at connecting WWI heritage sites across the Carpathian region into a coherent cross-border trail of remembrance, education, and historical tourism.
An important moment of the event was the signing of the Letter of Support for the establishment of the World War I Museum in Gorlice, underlining the city’s commitment to preserving and promoting the memory of the Great War.
The meeting in Gorlice demonstrated how shared heritage can serve as a catalyst for international cooperation, dialogue, and regional development. By bringing together partners from different countries and territories, GOV4PeaCE continues to strengthen governance models that connect remembrance, cultural heritage, and sustainable development across Europe.
The project partnership would like to thank the City of Gorlice for its excellent organisation, warm hospitality, and commitment to promoting the shared heritage of the First World War.