The HEI-TRANSFORM transdisciplinary project seeks innovative strategies to boost the competitiveness of Slovenia’s immovable cultural heritage (NKD), emphasizing its integration into the green transition. By positioning heritage as a vital resource for a sustainable future, the project rigorously assesses its value through both qualitative and quantitative measures.
The project brings together 33 researchers from twelve diverse fields—including architecture, economics, sociology, archaeology, ethnology, cultural anthropology, art history, urban planning, psychology, history, geography, and civil engineering. These experts, representing ten leading research organizations such as Slovenia’s three largest universities, the ZRC SAZU, and the Urban Planning Institute, collaborate under the leadership of the University of Ljubljana’s Interdisciplinary Interfaculty Institute for Sustainable Heritage Protection (IULzTVD). Their shared goal is to develop innovative and sustainable practices for safeguarding Slovenia’s cultural heritage.
Research within the project redefines disciplinary boundaries and delivers transdisciplinary solutions that underpin future research and scientific progress in heritage studies—an area still largely overlooked in Slovenia. Existing research on intangible cultural heritage in Slovenia typically centers on cultural-historical significance, leaving a notable gap in approaches that connect heritage with contemporary sustainable development. By prioritizing transdisciplinary collaboration and moving beyond traditional silos, this project offers a fresh model for cultural heritage preservation and management. The team’s comprehensive expertise ensures all key aspects are addressed, surpassing the scope of previous initiatives.