Focus on Culture: 3rd EMY Project Meeting in Montebelluna

After two successful project meetings in Maniago and Innsbruck, the partners of the Interreg project EMY (ITAT-46-013) met in Montebelluna in mid-February 2026 for their third exchange. 

EMY brings together stakeholders from the Italian regions of Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Tyrol to strengthen cultural resources in the cross-border region, transform museums into experiential spaces for Generation Z, and develop sustainable strategies for cultural tourism. In addition to the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tyrol, the Italian municipalities of Maniago and Montebelluna, as well as the aiku – Arte Impresa Cultura research center of the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice Foundation, are working closely together on the project.

Interactive Education and Regional Culture of Remembrance

During an intensive morning session, the progress made on the individual work packages (WP1–WP4) was presented and discussed, and the next steps were agreed upon. This intensifies the planning of the so-called Cross Border Learning Experience, a cross-border learning experience for Italian students who, in the summer of 2026, will actively explore not only the Italian partner museums but also the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum and the Ötztal Local History Museum. By integrating creative tourism with the interests of the younger generation, this initiative represents the experimental heart of EMY.

In the afternoon, the project members explored various museums in Montebelluna. At the Natural History and Archaeology Museum, the participants were given a guided tour of the permanent exhibition as well as the special exhibition “Soundiversity.” The museum is characterized by a particularly vivid and interactive design and uses playful educational formats specifically aimed at children and young people to introduce them to topics related to nature and archaeology at an early age.

The group then visited the MeVe (Veneto Great War Memorial), where the exhibition *Comunicare in guerra* (Eng: *Communication in War*) powerfully illustrated the diverse roles that communication and emerging technologies played, particularly during World War I. Through a variety of exhibits, it became clear how codes, propaganda, and personal messages shaped everyday life during the war. World War I holds particular significance in the region, as a strategic front line was located near Montebelluna and the events remain anchored in the collective memory of the population to this day.

Glance into the future

The next step in the EMY project will involve practical workshops designed to share expertise and foster dialogue among museums, businesses, and younger generations.

The workshops will take place on April 16 and 17, 2026, at the coworking space Das Wundervoll in Innsbruck. Parts one and two provide in-depth knowledge about Generation Z and highlight contemporary communication channels for museums to engage with this generation. The third module focuses on building educational and cultural alliances between museums, businesses, and younger generations. These workshops are aimed at executives and professionals in the cultural and museum sectors, including museum educators, museum operators, and marketing and communications managers, as well as businesses and entrepreneurs interested in collaborating with museums.

Thanks to funding from Interreg Italy-Austria, this program is free of charge for participants. Those interested can register via the link below and contact via e-mail with any questions.
 

Links:

• Interreg‑Projekt EMY | Research Project
• Natural History and Archaeological Museum in Montebelluna | Website 
• MeVe – World War I Memorial in Veneto | Website