Context

Cultural heritage is a strategic area for European Community policy-makers, supporting the integration of different European components through the recognition of the differences and similarities which characterise local and national cultures and traditions.

The conservation and valorisation of cultural assets require more resources – both financial and human – than the public sector can provide.  In some European countries these roles are equally shared between the public and the private sector, often on a voluntary basis, to ensure that places, monuments, sites, and objects of cultural and historical value are passed on unharmed and, where possible, enhanced, to future generations, contributing to the understanding of a shared past and the strengthening of ties among European citizens.

This project takes the position that institutions involving volunteers must offer adequate training, not only to provide skills necessary to carry out what may be very specialised tasks, but also to contribute to the volunteers’ growth as individuals, as members of a community, and as European citizens. 

Project activities and outputs include

• Europe-wide research on volunteers in the cultural heritage sector;
• Identification of good practice case studies;
• Design, development and delivery of short training modules both for volunteers and coordinators;
• Development and publishing of guidelines for good practice when working with volunteers;
• Dissemination of project outcomes through conferences and information days.

To find out more or to share information with the project


If your museum or heritage site works with volunteers and you would like to share a case study, please email Kirsten Gibbs kirsten.gibbs@virgin.net or Cristina Da Milano damilano@eccom.it.

If you would like us to keep you informed about the project, please email your details to Margherita Sani masani@regione.emilia-romagna.it or Sibylle Moebius smoebius@amitie.it.