August 2025 - LRE Foundation

Supervisory Board Update: a new member, and a fond farewell

Posted on August 20, 2025August 20, 2025 by Viola Scalacci

The LRE Foundation announces a change within its International Supervisory Board, the body that oversees the Foundation’s management, activities, and financial accountability.

After several years of valuable service, Herre Dijkema is stepping down from his position as a Board Member. Throughout his mandate, Herre contributed his time, knowledge and strategic thinking with remarkable dedication, helping guide the Foundation through key stages of development and international growth.

As we look ahead, we’re pleased to welcome Jorrit Volkers as the newest member of the Board.

Jorrit is a Dutch executive with a legal and tax background and significant boardroom experience. He has held leadership roles in various foundations and international organizations, dedicated to economic and cultural development. He brings a broad perspective and a strong sense of civic engagement, qualities that will enrich the work of the Board moving forward.

Rémi Praud, Managing Director of the LRE Foundation, commented on the transition:

“Herre has been a thoughtful and steady presence on our Board. We deeply appreciate the time and attention he has devoted to the Foundation over the years – always generous, always constructive. While our formal collaboration comes to an end, we know his support will not be lacking. At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Jorrit to the Board. His expertise and strategic mindset will be valuable as we continue to grow across Europe.”

Moments of transition like this are part of the Foundation’s strength. They bring fresh ideas while staying rooted in the long-term vision that connects our network, our mission, and the people behind it.

Two New Liberation Route Europe Hiking Trails Launched in Collaboration with the University of Portsmouth

Posted on August 11, 2025August 11, 2025 by Viola Scalacci

The LRE Foundation, in collaboration with LRE UK, and the University of Portsmouth has officially launched ‘Community in War- Scarred Portsmouth’ and ‘Dartmouth at War’, two new hiking routes as part of the Liberation Route Europe network. The trail follows the path and stories of both military and civilian life during the Second World War in Portsmouth, Hampshire and Dartmouth, Devon.

These are the first collaborative trails in the UK developed with the University of Portsmouth, dedicated to highlighting the impact of the Second World War and uncovering stories that are often overlooked in these areas. The project connects a rich variety of sites and stories, including historic landmarks, monuments, and personal testimonies, many of which are rarely featured in mainstream Second World War narratives.

“The work of the four students and support from Rob James at the University has been of a high standard. They should all be proud of their role in keeping the local history and heritage alive.” said Ben Mayne, Director of LRE UK. “We hope many people follow these trails, and what better time than during the 80^th Anniversary of VJ-Day, marking the end of the Second World War, to remember the sacrifices made for our freedoms today.”

Rob James, Senior Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth, emphasised the value of the collaboration:

“The partnership between the University and LRE UK is an important and exciting one. The work we do together provides students with real-life experiences and helps to build their employment skills. At the same time, they have contributed to keeping the memories of the history of wartime Britain alive. I am really impressed with the excellent work they have completed, and I am grateful for the support Ben has given us. The focus on the civilian aspect has been especially powerful, and it has been captured beautifully in the trails.”

Among the students was Francesca Raine, who concentrated on the civilian experience in Portsmouth:

“Hopefully, people will be as inspired as I have been through researching, tracing and discovering quite how closely our lives can be entwined with the past of the Second World War.”

Sadie White, another contributing student, was awarded the School Prize for Academic Citizenship upon her graduation last month.

All route information and related stories are freely accessible via the Liberation Route Europe website and app, which offer interactive maps, historical insights, and practical tools to help hikers plan their journey and connect with the shared history of Europe’s liberation.

Welcoming V Commandos as a new LRE Foundation Member

Posted on August 7, 2025August 7, 2025 by Viola Scalacci

The LRE Foundation is proud to welcome V Commandos as its newest member. Founded by Belgian war reporter and historian Philippe Deprez, V Commandos is an ambitious remembrance initiative dedicated to shedding light on a little-known yet crucial episode of World War II: the Allied and Partisan resistance on the Croatian island of Vis.

As German forces seized control of nearly all of Dalmatia in late 1943, one island held firm: Vis. With support from the Allies following the Tehran Conference, the Yugoslav Partisans turned the island into a stronghold and a base of operations for American and British special forces arriving from Southern Italy. Among them were Belgian commandos of the 10th Inter-Allied, 4th Troop, who served on the island during the spring and summer of 1944. Their role, though often overlooked, was vital to the success of raids on German ships and coastal positions.

This remarkable alliance between Allied forces and the Partisans became a turning point in the fight for Dalmatia, one documented in photographs and reported internationally at the time but largely forgotten in public memory.

That is about to change.

Driven by Philippe Deprez’s deep personal and historical connection to Vis, the V Commandos project aims to bring this hidden history back into the light. In partnership with the LRE Foundation, the initiative will create an immersive, QR-coded heritage trail across the island. Visitors will be able to walk or cycle through key sites, unlocking wartime photographs, stories, and locations through their phones, standing where commandos once stood.

A dedicated museum is also planned at the island’s center, featuring original photographs, documents, and relics from the wartime period. The project will host public events and conferences, inviting historians and war reporters to explore this chapter in the broader narrative of European liberation.

“Joining the LRE foundation is a key milestone for V Commandos, paving the way for the creation of a QR-coded heritage trail on the island of Vis.”, says Deprez. “This immersive experience will allow visitors to explore the pivotal events of 1944, when allied commandos, including Belgians, played a vital role in the liberation of Dalmatia.”

Still in its early stages, the V Commandos project exemplifies the LRE Foundation’s mission: to connect people with the legacy of liberation, across borders and generations. We look forward to supporting Philippe and his team in making his project a reality.