European Heritage Residency 2025 in the UK explores inclusive, sustainable, and community-driven approaches to heritage

From 14 to 20 June, the historic Hardwick Hall estate in central England played host to the Inclusive European Heritage Residency 2025, bringing together a dynamic group of emerging and established heritage professionals from 10 countries across Europe. The week-long residency combined hands-on learning, strategic exchange, and cross-border collaboration, offering participants a unique opportunity to explore inclusive, sustainable, and community-driven approaches to heritage.

The Residency was jointly conceived by Europa Nostra, the National Trust for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and INTO – the International National Trusts Organisation. It was organised in the frame of the network project Europa Nostra Heritage Agora (2025-2028), co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

A unique collaboration across borders

Europa Nostra’s extensive European civil society network, INTO’s global alliance of national trusts, and the National Trust’s long-standing expertise in stewardship formed a powerful partnership to deliver the first edition of the Inclusive European Heritage Residencies. The programme was structured around the National Trust’s strategy, “People and Nature Thriving”, encouraging participants to reflect on how heritage can contribute to restoring nature, reducing inequalities, and engaging diverse communities.

Throughout the week, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of heritage in its broadest sense – from nature recovery and garden management to building conservation and the care of historic collections. Just as importantly, the programme provided deep insights into how heritage organisations can meaningfully engage with a wide range of audiences, including by making cultural and natural heritage more accessible for people with disabilities.

Beyond the practical and conceptual knowledge, the Residency also explored organisational strategy, long-term planning, and models of community engagement. A key takeaway was the remarkable way the National Trust works with its extensive network of volunteers – thousands of individuals whose passion and commitment are central to the Trust’s success. Their active involvement across sites and activities powerfully demonstrated how inclusive, people-powered heritage practices can strengthen both places and communities.

Several double interviews and testimonials posted on Instagram Reels and Vimeo convey the shared experience of both the participants and the organisers.

Meet the participants

Nine professionals from across the heritage field participated to the first edition of the Inclusive European Heritage Residencies, each bringing expertise shaped by their own national and institutional contexts:

• Anna Smekalova (Czech Republic) – Cultural Professional & Curator at Hoprich
• Giorgi Burjanadze (Georgia) – Archaeologist, Cultural Heritage Specialist & Co-Chair, National Trust of Georgia
• Ilze Zarina (Latvia) – Head of the Restoration Centre of Kuldiga
• Ira Vihreälehto (Finland) – Executive Director, Association of Cultural Heritage Education
• Irina Leca (Romania) – Executive Director, Studiogovora / Eurodite
• Kathleen Engels (Belgium) – Project Manager for Visitor Experience, Herita
• Katarzyna Sielicka (Poland) – Manager, Museum and Education Department, Książ Castle
• Mathilde Rubinstein (France) – Deputy Director, La Citadelle de Marseille
• Oskar Habjanič (Slovenia) – Curator Consultant, Maribor Regional Museum

Together, they represent a vibrant cross-section of Europe’s cultural heritage landscape, united by a shared commitment to inclusive and participatory heritage practice.

Programme highlights: a week of learning, engagement and discovery

The week-long programme of the Inclusive European Heritage Residency 2025 offered a rich and varied blend of experiential learning, strategic dialogue, and collaborative practice across some of England’s most iconic heritage landscapes.

Centred at Hardwick Hall, a 2000-acre estate featuring a spectacular Elizabethan house filled with rich furnishings and tapestries, the itinerary took participants on an immersive journey through the legacy of Bess of Hardwick, while also exploring the broader challenges and opportunities facing the heritage sector today. Each day combined site visits (Clumber Park, Longshaw Estate, and Chatsworth House), practical workshops, and thematic discussions – ranging from audience engagement and estate planning to conservation crafts, nature recovery, and inclusive access to heritage.

The week culminated in a series of group presentations responding to a Live Brief, allowing participants to apply their insights in a real-world context and propose fresh ideas to the National Trust leadership.

Monday, 16 June

• Welcome to Hardwick Hall and the legacy of Bess of Hardwick
• Presentation of the National Trust Strategy: People and nature thriving
• Tour of the Old and New Halls with local volunteers
• Data-driven audience analysis, social impact discussion, and estate planning workshops

Tuesday, 17 June

• Full-day storytelling and engagement workshop around the Live Brief
• Facilitated by Polly Schomberg, with collaborative group work

Wednesday, 18 June

• Hands-on conservation site visit with roof tour and live building project
• Stone masonry and joinery workshops at Clumber Park
• Property management and landscape planning presentations

Thursday, 19 June

• Guided walk across the Longshaw Estate with a focus on nature recovery
• Talks on inequality in access to nature, placemaking and conservation
• Visit to Chatsworth House and self-guided exploration
• Closing event at Hardwick Hall with conservation presentations for tapestry and paintings.

Friday, 20 June

• Final presentations of Live Brief responses to the Hardwick Hall Property Leadership Team
• Paired reflection sessions on key takeaways and personal action planning
• Closing remarks and next steps discussion

Building leadership, strengthening networks

The Residency is not designed as a traditional training programme, but rather as a collaborative platform for co-creation, peer learning, and strategic reflection. Participants explored how heritage organisations can address contemporary challenges while strengthening links with communities, nature, and wider societal goals.

Looking ahead

Insights from the Residency will inform ongoing projects within participating organisations and contribute to the broader goals of the Europa Nostra Heritage Agora (2025-2028).

The dialogue and collaboration will continue at the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2025, which will take place from 12 to 14 October in Brussels, Belgium.