Rural Communities Shaping the Future of Religious Heritage

Do you know the role communities play in shaping the future of religious heritage in rural areas?

On January 28, 2025, the 1st Interregional Exchange of Experience (IEEE) of the REliHE project took place successfully, focusing on "Rural Communities and Heritage: Successful Cases and New Initiatives. The Faro Convention Approach." The event brought together experts, policymakers, and local stakeholders to discuss innovative ways to revitalize religious heritage through community engagement and participatory governance.

A key takeaway from the discussions was the crucial role of municipalities in heritage management, as they serve as the closest institutional link to local communities. Their involvement ensures that preservation efforts respond to the real needs and aspirations of residents.

The event also highlighted the success of community-led initiatives, demonstrating how local actors—citizens, associations, and heritage enthusiasts—are driving change by repurposing and revitalizing heritage sites. Many of these initiatives benefit from institutional support in the form of funding and expert guidance, helping turn ideas into sustainable projects that foster social cohesion and economic development.

A series of good practices presented during the event illustrated diverse approaches to integrating religious heritage into contemporary community life, including:

• Mežotne Church (Latvia) – Restoration and cultural repurposing of a historic church.
• Jelgava Holy Trinity Church Tower (Latvia) – Adaptive reuse of a landmark as a cultural and leisure space.
• Augustinian Monastery Borovany (Czech Republic) – Transformation of a historic monastery into a cultural hub.
• Monastery of Waldsassen (Germany) – Sustainable conservation through multi-use adaptation.
• Quinto Mummy Museum (Spain) – Innovative heritage tourism initiative addressing rural depopulation.
• Church Village on the Move (Netherlands) – A competition fostering community-driven church repurposing projects.
• Café Francesco (Poland) – A social space fostering dialogue and community engagement.
• Church of St. Lawrence in Klení (Czech Republic) – Community-led restoration of a historic church.
• Churches Can Go to the Doctor (Netherlands) – Advisory services supporting church repurposing efforts.
• Grant Program for Cultural Heritage Revitalization (Spain) – Public funding for heritage conservation initiatives.

These examples reflect the Faro Convention approach, which recognizes cultural heritage as a key resource for community identity, well-being, and social cohesion. The presented projects highlighted the power of active citizen participation, showing how local engagement in decision-making, implementation, and long-term management leads to more sustainable heritage solutions.

All the good practices presented will soon be available on the project’s website.