Palermo is one of the Mediterranean’s most layered cultural capitals — a city shaped by centuries of overlapping civilisations, faiths, and traditions. Its rich built heritage, dynamic civil society, and its renowned Le Vie dei Tesori Festival make it an ideal setting to explore youth engagement and  cultural heritage at the local, regional, and transnational levels. As a crossroads of cultures, Palermo embodies the very questions the Youth Heritage Days 2026 seeks to address.

This year’s event explores three interconnected themes at the intersection of youth, heritage, and society:

• Local Communities & Heritage: How can young people become active agents of local heritage and community development?
• Cultural Tourism: How are young people shaping, challenging, and contributing to sustainable cultural tourism?
• The Mediterranean: What are the specificities of youth heritage engagement in the Mediterranean, and how do they connect to broader European contexts?

The programme unfolds across three days and combines round table discussions, the launch of Youth Mapping Initiative, an open public debate, and cultural visits integrated into Palermo’s local heritage scene — including events linked to the Le Vie dei Tesori festival.

At this stage, we are inviting young professionals, students, researchers, and youth-led organisations to save the date and indicate their interest in attending Youth Heritage Days 2026 in person.

Official registration will open soon. By completing the form below, you can express your interest and be among the first to receive the early registration link and further updates about the programme: Event Expression of Interest: Youth Heritage Europe