Fortress of Culture develops multilateral partnerships and collaborations with related institutions and organizations at European level with the aim of exchanging knowledge and best practices in revitalization, preservation and sustainable management of cultural heritage.
In 2023, marking the 20th anniversary of the National Foundation, a new and innovative investment in society development in Croatia was launched through i3.0 Strategic Partnership for Community Innovation within the "Community Potential" program.
The "Community Potential" Program aims to contribute to the further development of society and the potential of local communities through new models of innovations designed, led and implemented by change-makers within the involved communities.
Fortress of Culture is i3.0 Strategic Partner in the implementation of this Program, in the area Culture: an Inter-Generational bridge in Croatia and the Euro-Mediterranean.
The Fortress of Culture Šibenik is a member of the FORTE CULTURA association, a European network bringing together fortresses, citadels, fortified towns, institutions and experts dedicated to preserving and revitalising fortified heritage. Guided by its motto — "For the preservation and use of the cultural heritage of fortified monuments" — the network works on the protection, valorisation and sustainable development of fortified heritage as a shared European legacy, the exchange of knowledge and best practices among its members, and the strengthening of fortress cultural tourism as a distinctive European tourism product.
As a member of the network, the Fortress of Culture Šibenik has included the Šibenik fortresses in the European Cultural Route of Fortified Heritage »FORTE CULTURA«, which guides visitors through Europe's most significant fortification sites — from monumental star forts to hidden defence structures. Within its membership, a certified FORTE CULTURA guide has been trained and a specialised FORTE CULTURA route through Šibenik's fortification heritage has been developed. For information and bookings, contact us at info@tvrdjava-kulture.hr.
Since 2023, the Night of Fortresses, an international event initiated and coordinated by the Fortress of Culture Šibenik, has been part of the European Fortress Summer, an initiative of the FORTE CULTURA network and its partners connecting and promoting events at fortified heritage sites across Europe.
More about the network and the route: www.forte-cultura.com | Šibenik on the FORTE CULTURA route
EFFORTS – European Federation of Fortified Sites
The Fortress of Culture Šibenik is a member of EFFORTS, the European federation bringing together fortified sites, defence lines and historic cities, representing the interests of fortified heritage at the European level, fostering knowledge exchange and promoting its sustainable use under the motto "From defensive walls to open arms of welcome". The Fortress of Culture Šibenik has received the EFFORTS award for the best organised European Fortress Day, and also cooperates with the federation through the inclusion of the Night of Fortresses in the European Fortress Summer initiative.
More information: https://www.efforts-europe.eu/
Europa Cinemas
House of Art Arsen and the open-air stage at Barone Fortress are part of Europa Cinemas, the largest European network of independent cinema exhibitors, bringing together more than 1,200 cinemas in 38 countries. Supported by the European Commission and the Creative Europe MEDIA programme, the network backs cinemas that dedicate a significant part of their programming to European film and young audience development — which is also the central focus of the film programme of the Fortress of Culture Šibenik.
More information: https://www.europa-cinemas.org/en/cinemas/map
ENCATC – European Network on Cultural Management and Policy
The Fortress of Culture Šibenik is a member of ENCATC, the leading European network on cultural management and policy based in Brussels, connecting educational institutions, researchers and cultural professionals. Membership gives the institution access to the latest knowledge, research and training in cultural management, along with the exchange of experience with colleagues from across Europe.
More information: https://encatc.org/
CAE – Culture Action Europe
The Fortress of Culture Šibenik is a member of Culture Action Europe, the largest European network of cultural organisations and individuals advocating for the place of culture in European public policies. Through its membership, the institution takes part in European debates on the future of the cultural sector and helps ensure that the voice of culture is heard in EU decision-making processes.
More information: https://cultureactioneurope.org/
ALF – Anna Lindh Foundation
The Fortress of Culture Šibenik is a member of the Anna Lindh Foundation, which promotes intercultural dialogue and civil society cooperation across the Euro-Mediterranean region, connecting thousands of organisations from more than 40 countries through its national networks. The membership reflects the institution's focus on the Mediterranean as a space of cultural exchange and dialogue.
More information: https://alf.website/en/
SMILO – Small Islands Organisation
Through the Croatian Coral Centre Zlarin, the Fortress of Culture Šibenik takes part in the work of SMILO, an international organisation supporting the sustainable management of small islands of up to 150 km² — from water, waste and energy management to the preservation of biodiversity, landscapes and heritage. Together with the Coral Centre Zlarin, the Fortress of Culture Šibenik is also a partner in a European project dedicated to the exchange of expertise among managers of small European islands in sustainable territorial planning and climate change adaptation.
More information: https://www.smilo-program.org/en/
Kino mreža – Croatian Network of Independent Cinema Exhibitors
Art Cinema Arsen is a member of Kino mreža, the national network bringing together nearly 60 independent cinemas across Croatia with the aim of strengthening cinema exhibition, exchanging programmes and knowledge, and jointly developing audiences. In 2026, the Fortress of Culture Šibenik also hosted the network's 21st Spring Conference, the first ever held in Šibenik.
More information: https://kinomreza.hr/
Night of Fortresses
The Night of Fortresses is an international cultural tourism event initiated and coordinated by the Fortress of Culture Šibenik. Launched in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, it now connects dozens of fortified sites, museums and heritage institutions across Europe and forms part of the European Fortress Summer initiative. Under the name Night of Fortresses Goes Green, the event places special emphasis on connecting cultural heritage with environmental responsibility.
More information: https://nightoffortresses.org/en/
UHPA – Association of Croatian Travel Agencies
The Fortress of Culture Šibenik cooperates with UHPA, the national professional association of travel agencies, connecting its cultural tourism offer with tourism professionals. This cooperation contributes to positioning the Šibenik fortresses as an essential cultural tourism destination on the Croatian and international markets.
More information: https://www.uhpa.hr/
HUPKT – Croatian Meetings Professionals Association
The Fortress of Culture Šibenik is a member of the Croatian Meetings Professionals Association, which brings together stakeholders of the MICE industry with the aim of developing Croatia as a business events destination. The membership supports the development of the institution's conference offer — from the Educational Campus at St John's Fortress to the multifunctional hall of the Arsen House of Arts.
More information: https://hupkt.hr/
ICOM – International Council of Museums
The Fortress of Culture Šibenik is a member of ICOM, the world's leading organisation of museums and museum professionals, setting international standards for the museum profession, ethics and heritage protection. Through the national committee ICOM Croatia, the institution is connected with the global museum community and best practices in heritage interpretation and preservation.
More information: https://icom.museum/en/
