Success stories

The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs exchange between Gëzim Shuli, a New Entrepreneur (NE) from Albania, and Giovanni Pinto, a Host Entrepreneur (HE) in Italy, became an inspiring collaboration dedicated to preserving and promoting religious heritage through innovative storytelling and digital strategies. Gëzim joined the exchange with the ambition of gaining practical experience in cultural heritage preservation and sustainable tourism development. Giovanni, an expert in heritage‑based entrepreneurship, welcomed the opportunity to integrate fresh creative perspectives into his ongoing initiatives in Puglia.

Working side by side, they focused on revitalising overlooked religious sites across the region. Their approach combined traditional architectural conservation with contemporary digital promotion, using innovative narrative techniques to make historical sites more accessible to broader audiences. Together, they designed strategies to raise public awareness, engage local communities, and encourage cross‑cultural dialogue around shared heritage.

The collaboration not only strengthened Gëzim’s entrepreneurial skills but also enriched Giovanni’s business with new ideas and digital tools. Their joint efforts contributed to building a more sustainable model for heritage management and regional tourism—one grounded in cooperation, creativity, and long‑term cultural value.

Gëzim’s activities revolved around cultural promotion, community engagement, and professional development. He immersed himself in Giovanni’s restoration projects, visiting significant heritage sites such as the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta and the Chiesa del Carmine to learn about preservation techniques. Gëzim developed promotional materials, including multimedia campaigns and virtual tours, to highlight the cultural significance of these sites. He supported the organisation of community events to foster local engagement and participated in networking sessions with tourism boards, cultural heritage experts, and religious leaders. Gëzim also contributed to refining Giovanni’s outreach strategies and documented the restoration processes for future use, ensuring the sustainability of their work.

Through these activities, he strengthened his skills in storytelling, strategic planning, and community‑driven preservation.

The collaboration brought transformative benefits to both parties. Gëzim gained practical expertise in restoration and digital promotion, developed cultural storytelling skills and expanded his professional network within Puglia’s tourism and cultural heritage sectors. His involvement in promotional campaigns and community events increased public awareness of neglected sites, fostering local and international interest. Giovanni benefited from Gëzim’s fresh ideas particularly in digital strategies and community engagement, which enriched his business’s outreach efforts and strengthened local stakeholder involvement. Together they created a sustainable framework for heritage preservation laying the groundwork for future projects and collaborations. This exchange empowered Gëzim with new entrepreneurial insights and strengthened Giovanni’s ability to promote Puglia’s rich cultural heritage.