Why Engage with Communities and How to Do it Effectively

Outreach activities and events to involve communities in heritage projects.

This level focuses on raising awareness and providing information to the community about heritage projects. The aim is to ensure that people are informed and aware of the project, it’s goals and any opportunities to get involved.

This could include:

• Public events
• Workshops
• Information sessions
• Newsletters/ social media used to engage a broad audience.

At this level community members receive information and may attend events, but they do not influence decisions or the direction of the project.

Active involvement of community members in learning skills and co-producing services and programs.

Participation emphasises the direct, hands-on involvement of community members. It moves beyond simply informing or consulting people and actively engages them in the learning and development of skills, as well as in the co-creation of services and programs. This level of engagement ensures that the community not only benefits from initiatives but also contribute to shaping them.

This could include:

• Organising workshops where community members can learn skills such as traditional crafts, preservation techniques, or other cultural practices related to the project
• Involving community members in designing and delivering services such as local plans, educational programs, or cultural events
• Engaging community members in the planning and development of heritage programs, ensuring that their knowledge, ideas, and preferences shape the outcomes. E.g. community-led exhibitions, local history projects, or interpretive content for heritage sites.

At this level, the community plays an active role, contributing their time, knowledge, and skills. They are not just participants but co-creators, working alongside heritage professionals to ensure that the outcomes resonate with local values and priorities. This level of participation helps build a deeper connection to the heritage project, fostering a sense of ownership and pride within the community.

Active participation ensures that heritage projects are not just for the community but also by the community, reflecting their unique cultural identity and values while providing valuable learning opportunities.

Collaboration with Community Organisations in Leading and Managing Heritage Projects.

Partnership in the heritage sector involves working closely with community organisations to jointly lead and manage projects. This level of engagement goes beyond simply involving individuals; it seeks to create strong, sustained collaborations with local groups that have a vested interest in heritage conservation and development. The goal is to pool resources, knowledge, and expertise, allowing for a more holistic and community-centred approach to managing heritage assets.

This could include:

• Establishing governance structures where representatives from community organisations work alongside heritage professionals to plan and oversee projects. These should ensure that community voices are central in decision-making processes, and that local needs and priorities are addressed.
•  Assigning leadership roles within the project to members of community organisations. This might include co-chairs of planning boards, project managers, or coordinators who are drawn from the local community. Shared leadership fosters a sense of ownership and ensures that the project benefits from local knowledge and expertise.
• Pooling resources such as funding, tools, and human resources between heritage bodies and community organisations to increase the impact of the project, making it more sustainable and community focused.
•  Offering training and support to community organisations to build their capacity to manage heritage projects. This might include workshops on project management, fundraising, or conservation techniques, ensuring that community partners are equipped to take on leadership roles.

In a partnership, community organisations are not just participants; they are co-leaders. They actively shape the direction of the project, make key decisions, and are involved in the day-to-day management of the heritage assets. Partnerships leverage the strengths of both heritage professionals and community organisations, creating a dynamic where both parties contribute equally to the success of the project. This approach not only strengthens the project outcomes but also builds lasting relationships and trust within the community, ensuring that heritage projects have long-term, sustainable impacts.

Community-Led Ownership and management.

The Leadership level of engagement represents the pinnacle of community involvement in heritage led work in places. At this stage, the community takes full control of heritage projects, not just participating or partnering but owning, governing, and operating heritage assets and services. This approach ensures that the management and future of these projects are firmly in the hands of those who have the most at stake—the local community. It is designed to empower communities by giving them the authority and responsibility to safeguard their heritage for future generations.

This could include:

• Implementing legal and organisational frameworks that transfer ownership of heritage assets to community groups. E.g. Community Asset Transfer, where ownership of heritage buildings or sites is transferred to community organisations under long-term leases or ownership agreements. This formalises the community’s control and ensures that they have a vested interest in the sustainable management of the asset
• Establishing diverse governance bodies such as boards or trusts composed predominantly or entirely of community members. These bodies are responsible for making key decisions about the management, preservation, and use of heritage assets. This governance model ensures that the community’s values, needs, and vision are at the forefront of all decisions
• Communities take on the responsibility for the day-to-day operation of heritage sites, including maintenance, programming, fundraising, and public engagement. This could involve managing visitor services, organising events, or running educational programs. By operating these services themselves, communities can tailor them to reflect local culture and priorities
• Communities develop and implement long-term strategies for the conservation and use of heritage assets. These strategies often include sustainable funding models, conservation plans, and community outreach initiatives that ensure the ongoing relevance and viability of the heritage site.

In this level the community is the primary decision-maker and operator. They have full authority over the heritage project/place and are responsible for its success. This level of involvement requires a high degree of commitment, capacity, and leadership from the community, but it also offers the most significant rewards in terms of empowerment and long-term impact. It also builds capacity within the community, fostering skills in governance, management, and conservation that can be applied to other local initiatives.

Ultimately, community-led leadership in heritage projects can lead to more resilient, empowered communities that are better equipped to protect and celebrate their cultural heritage for future generations.