We are pleased to announce that the next IE course for Certified Interpretive Trainers (IE CIT) will take place in Frankfurt, Germany, from 2 to 6 February 2026, over five consecutive days. The course will be led by IE trainers, Thorsten Ludwig and Valya Stergioti, and coordinated by IE Managing Coordinator, Andrijana Milisavljević.
Do you want to become a Certified Interpretive Trainer?
To be eligible to take part in the training course, you must:
- hold a certification in any IE course by the start of the CIT course,
- have prior experience in adult learning, and
- be active in a field relevant to the course or module you wish to deliver (e.g. guiding, writing, planning).
Yet becoming an IE trainer is much more than meeting formal requirements.
It means becoming part of a strong and inspiring community of over 30 trainers who deliver IE courses across Europe in their own languages. It also means acting as an ambassador for heritage interpretation, actively shaping IE’s training programme and growing through collaboration, mentoring and shared challenges.
The IE CIT course is just the starting point. The real journey begins once the course ends.
Course format
The IE CIT course will last five days on-site and will be preceded by four mandatory online sessions in the months leading up to the course. These online meetings are designed to build connections, exchange approaches, and prepare for the on-site training.
After the IE CIT course, participants will have the opportunity to join three-day upgrade sessions to become trainers for specific IE courses (CIG, CIW, CIP). These will take place throughout 2026, depending on demand.
How to apply
Places are limited so if you would like to join the CIT course, please make sure you submit your complete application by 9 September 2025.
Your application should include the following:
- a motivational letter explaining why you wish to become an IE trainer,
- proof of your previous experience
- a selected part of the homework (translated into English if necessary) which you submitted for your IE course to secure certification
- a completed pre-course questionnaire
Please ensure that all required documents are submitted in a single email by the deadline to Valya Stergioti: vster@outlook.com
Course fee
Following IE’s fairer fee system, the cost for the CIT course is as follows:
An additional fee of €470 will be charged to cover accommodation, shuttle service, full board catering, and museum entrance fees.
This amount includes:
- 6 nights of accommodation (from the evening of 1 February to the morning of 7 February 2026)
- Full board catering (from dinner on 1 February to breakfast on 7 February), including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and coffee breaks
- Entrance fees for all scheduled museum visits
Please note that course upgrades to be organised later in 2026 are not included in this fee.
A first selection of participants will be announced by 30 September. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to read IE’s training policy and confirm their interest before the final list of participants is concluded. Once the list is finalised, selected participants will receive a pro forma invoice with payment details.
For any questions, feel free to contact us:
Andrijana Milisavljević (logistical information): andrijana.milisavljevic@interpret-europe.net
Valya Stergioti (content-related information): vster@outlook.com
The venue– Jugendherberge Frankfurt
The upcoming IE CIT course will take place in the centre of Frankfurt, Germany, at the Jugendherberge Frankfurt – Haus der Jugend. This urban youth hostel overlooks the Main River and is just a few steps away from many of the city’s cultural institutions and venues, Most importantly, it offers a stimulating setting where we can connect the course content with the reality of urban heritage, participation, and community life.
All participants will stay in twin rooms with private bathrooms, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided throughout the training.
Thanks to its central location, the course venue allows us to integrate on-site exploration into the course programme. Participants will join curated study visits and engage in discussions on location, from museum galleries to public spaces, directly linked to core IE CIT themes:
- the four qualities of interpretation (heritage, participation, meanings & values, stewardship),
- sustainability,
- conflict and dialogue,
- co-creation and
- local engagement.
Whether we are reflecting on inclusive narratives in a museum exhibition, exploring participatory tools along the riverbank, or sharing professional experiences over dinner, Frankfurt will become part of the learning process.
Feel free to find out more about our venue: https://www.jugendherberge-frankfurt.de/
Want to know more?
We are organising an online event for all those interested in applying to the IE CIT course.
Date: 2 September 2025
Time: 15:00–16:00 CEST
This will be an open Q&A session with the trainers. The session will be recorded. If you are unable to attend live, you can request the recording at: andrijana.milisavljevic@interpret-europe.net
CIT 2025/2026 – Timeline
July 2025 |
Registration opens |
2 September 2025 |
Open Q&A for interested participants. (15:00–16:00 CEST)
Join via Zoom link |
9 September 2025 |
Registration closes |
30 September 2025 |
Selection results sent to all applicants |
21 October 2025 |
Online orientation session for successful participants (15:00–16:00 CEST) |
4 November 2025 |
Online session 1 (15:00–17:30 CET) – mandatory |
18 November 2025 |
Online session 2 (15:00–17:30 CET) – mandatory |
2 December 2025 |
Online session 3 (15:00–17:30 CET) – mandatory |
16 December 2025 |
Online session 4 (15:00–17:30 CET) – mandatory |
January 2026 |
Preparation phase – participants develop their sessions |
2–6 February 2026 |
On-site IE CIT course |
Later in 2026 |
Upgrades for IE courses (CIW, CIG, CIP). Please note that the final offer of different upgrades (CIG, CIW, CIP etc.) will depend on the number of participants who register for them. |
We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you at this next step of your interpretive journey.
The CIT course is supported by a four-year network grant that is part of the European Union Creative Europe programme.
*Photo Credits: Michal Medek, CIT course 2023 in Arnoga, Italy.
