Grant Program for the promotion and revitalization of the cultural heritage of small villages
About this good practice
Non-profit organizations working to revitalize and preserve religious heritage in rural areas often struggle with financial constraints, limiting their ability to launch small initiatives for revitalization. To address this, the Diputación Provincial de Zaragoza (DPZ) offers annual grants aimed at supporting projects that promote, protect, and raise awareness of local heritage.
The program prioritizes projects that focus on conservation, education and cultural events, and community engagement. Initiatives involving preventive restoration, heritage workshops, or public outreach campaigns receive special consideration. Grants cover up to 80% of the project budget, ensuring financial feasibility and long-term impact.
Professional expertise is required for restoration projects, and proposals must demonstrate clear, measurable benefits for local communities, such as increased public participation, economic revitalization, or strengthened cultural identity. Preference is given to initiatives from underserved rural areas to promote geographic equity.
Eligible projects include educational programs, promotional campaigns, and preventive conservation efforts. However, funding cannot be used for construction, staff salaries, travel, or unrelated events. Grants range from €3,000 to €6,000 and are available to non-profit organizations registered in municipalities with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants.
Resources needed
The total funding provided by DPZ amounts to €180,000 annually. The technical staff responsible for launching the call, evaluating applications, and monitoring funded projects consists of five people.
Evidence of success
Each year, full funding is required by applicants, financing around 50-70 small projects annually. Although small in scale, these projects stimulate the dissemination of the province's heritage and promote awareness of its preservation and promotion. Various restoration, digitization, and educational projects have been carried out thanks to these grants. Many of them have strategic continuity over time, as the certainty of being able to apply for annual funding allows for long-term planning.
Potential for learning or transfer
The transfer potential of this initiative lies in its ability to finance, with limited resources, initiatives and bottom-up ideas from rural communities, allowing for vast dissemination and reach. The process is relatively simple, as the requirements to form an eligible non-profit organization are easily achievable by very small groups with minimal funding. Furthermore, with clear guidelines and requirements, along with effective monitoring, the initiative aligns the objectives of these projects with the institution's overall strategy for the promotion, preservation, and dissemination of heritage, in accordance with national and European strategies. It is a public funding tool that supports and encourages citizen participation in the conservation, management, and promotion of heritage in rural areas. This is a key factor, as proximity and identification with the community's heritage are essential for its survival.
Further information
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Good practice owner
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