Overview
As part of WP6, Task 6.1, the University of Donja Gorica (UDG) and the University of Sarajevo (UNSA) jointly organized a workshop in Ilijaš on 15 September 2025, dedicated to assessing the Willingness to Pay (WTP) for the preservation of Stećci. The workshop was hosted in cooperation with the Municipality of Ilijaš and aimed to collect data for the economic valuation of Stećci while raising public awareness of their cultural significance and the challenges posed by climate change.
The event opened with welcoming remarks by the Mayor of Ilijaš, Mr. Amar Dovadžija, followed by an overview of the European Commission’s support for cultural heritage and sustainable tourism presented by the STECCI Project Coordinator, Prof. Dr. Nusret Drešković. The Project Manager, Prof. Dr. Saida Ibragić, introduced the STECCI Project and the upcoming Summer Academy 2, outlining the project’s broader aims within Horizon Europe. An academic perspective on Stećci and medieval Bosnia was provided by Prof. Dr. Edin Bujak, while Prof. Dr. Amina Sivac presented the role of Stećci within the European cultural route framework.
Participants took part in a structured two-round survey, implemented before and after the educational components. This survey aimed to capture changes in awareness, attitudes, and willingness to contribute financially to the protection and conservation of stećci. Following the initial survey round, attendees engaged in presentations delivered by the UDG team from Montenegro, which provided insights into cultural heritage valuation and the relevance of economic assessment methods for long-term conservation planning.
The workshop concluded with a second survey round, informal discussions, and a Q&A session, enabling participants to reflect on the importance of safeguarding Stećci as distinctive elements of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s medieval heritage. This dialogue also encouraged participants to consider the impacts of environmental and climatic pressures on the monuments and the need for coordinated protective measures.
Overall, the Ilijaš workshop generated valuable data for the economic valuation of stećci and contributed to strengthening local awareness of their historical, cultural, and identity-forming importance. The event also reinforced community engagement as a main component of developing sustainable preservation strategies for these unique monuments.
