Green Sustain Lab at FORTIC Week in Šibenik: How Heritage Can Lead the Way in Sustainability

Can cultural institutions drive the local actions needed to create a sustainable future? How can they harness their unique position to inspire lasting change?

This October, Artivist Co. was honored to lead the Green Sustain Lab at the historic St. John’s Fortress in Šibenik, Croatia, Organized by Fortress of Culture Šibenik as part of the FORTIC project—a cross-border initiative uniting cultural institutions from Italy and Croatia—the event aims to build sustainable, resilient practices within heritage sites, promote eco-conscious tourism, and engage local communities.

Our CEO, Laura Orlić, guided participants through the Lab’s interactive sessions, which focused on four key objectives:

• Expanding Knowledge: Participants deepened their understanding of sustainability, exploring the vast potential of the circular economy and how cultural institutions can actively contribute to building a sustainable future.

• Strengthening Impact: We provided insights and tools to help heritage professionals grasp what achieving sustainability truly requires within their organizations.

• Creating Concrete Action Plans: Together, we developed actionable strategies to make events like the Night of Fortresses more sustainable, emphasizing eco-friendly logistics, organization, and meaningful audience engagement.

• Empowering Lasting Contributions: Participants were equipped to leave the Lab feeling confident and motivated to actively contribute to a sustainable future, both in their professional work and everyday lives.

  
  

Laura’s keynote, Sustainable Development and Heritage Ecosystems, highlighted two central narratives: the urgent environmental and social challenges we face, and the possibility of a regenerative future through sustainable action. By introducing frameworks like Systems Thinking and Creating Desired Futures, she inspired participants to see cultural heritage as a catalyst for positive change, one that can drive collective action and foster resilient, community-centered solutions.

Our work at the Green Sustain Lab aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, showcasing how heritage sites can actively shape sustainable futures. For more insights, check out this LinkedIn article on FORTIC Week.