INCREMENTAL Project: Protecting and Enhancing Intangible Cultural Heritage

We are pleased to announce that among the winners of the call for proposals under the INTERREG EUROPE Programme are two founding partners of the Via Querinissima Association: the Veneto Region and the Nordland Region with the project “INCREMENTAL – Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and local development. Communities, safeguard and resilience”

This success opens the door to an important opportunity for Via Querinissima, which has been identified as a strategic stakeholde.

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage is not limited to monuments or material objects; it also includes living traditions, knowledge, practices, and rituals passed down from generation to generation. This intangible cultural heritage (ICH), according to UNESCO’s definition, is a key element in maintaining cultural diversity in an increasingly globalized world.

However, it is often threatened by phenomena such as globalization, industrialization, and socio-environmental changes, risking being lost if not adequately safeguarded

A European Project for Intangible Heritage

The INCREMENTAL project is an initiative funded under the INTERREG EUROPE Programme that aims to develop innovative strategies for the protection and enhancement of ICH. The project brings together partners from Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Greece, in addition to the metropolitan area of Amiens (France) and the municipality of Gjirokastra (Albania) as a discovery partner.

The goal is to improve six existing regional policies by integrating the protection of ICH with sectors such as tourism, cultural events, and the local economy. Through these actions, the project aims to support economic and social development, promote cultural identity, and counter challenges such as depopulation and over-tourism.

Via Querinissima: An Integrated Example of Tangible and Intangible Heritage

Via Querinissima is an example of the integration between tangible and intangible heritage. Indeed, the itinerary is not only based on material evidence, such as Pietro Querini’s diaries, but also embraces the living traditions that still characterize the communities along the route.

Among the most significant examples are the culinary traditions linked to stockfish, a symbolic product that has inspired local events, celebrations, and crafts. These elements fully embody UNESCO’s definition of intangible heritage: living, representative, and capable of connecting communities across time and space.

A New Model of Cultural Development

In conclusion, INCREMENTAL proposes a multidimensional approach, where intangible heritage becomes a driver of innovation and sustainability.

Moreover, the project will serve as a laboratory to test and implement these strategies, demonstrating how cultural heritage can become a lever for the future of local communities.