2018 will be the European Year of Cultural Heritage, a year of events, activities and celebrations all around Europe to get people interested and involved in cultural heritage.
On 15th of January 2018, the Irish Heritage Council issued a callout for funding applications under its Community Heritage Grant Scheme.To mark the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 (EYCH), this year’s scheme focuses on the theme ‘Make a Connection‘, encouraging communities throughout Ireland to build heritage connections that will last beyond 2018.
Not-for-profit voluntary and community groups, and heritage-related non-governmental organisations may apply for funding of up to 75 percent of the total project expenditure to a maximum of €8,000. The total funding allocation to the scheme is €750,000.
Commenting on the call for applications, Chairman of the Heritage Council, Mr. Michael Parsons said:
“We expect to fund about 150 creative, engaging projects that provide a way for the public to learn about and manage our natural and cultural heritage, to build up local heritage networks and to engage new audiences by telling heritage stories in innovative ways.”
The scheme is open for applications until Friday, 9th February 2018. Funding applications must be submitted via the Heritage Council’s online grants system. Successful applicants will be informed in late-April. Follow #EuropeForCulture on twitter
About the Heritage Council: The Heritage Council was established under the Heritage Act 1995 with the responsibility to propose policies and priorities for the national heritage. It works in co-operation with a range of agencies, communities and individuals to promote education, enjoyment and understanding of our national heritage. For further information, visit: www.heritagecouncil.ie.
About the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018: 2018 has been designated as the European Year of Cultural Heritage by the European Commission. The initiative is designed to be truly European, with activities taking place at all levels: European, national, regional and local. The Year aims to involve all citizens in events that help to promote a sense of belonging to a common European space.
Heritage is our cultural identity, values and traditions that we have inherited from previous generations, live with today, and pass on to future generations. It includes buildings, monuments, historical and archaeological sites, museum objects, our customs, sports, music, dance, folklore, crafts and skills, and natural heritage, such as landscapes, wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
In Ireland, the Heritage Council – the statutory body charged with promoting, educating and encouraging enjoyment in Ireland’s national heritage – is coordinating the European Year of Cultural Heritage. It will coordinate and promote a national programme of European Year of Cultural Heritage events and other activities.
The theme for the Year in Ireland is ‘Make a Connection’. This theme aims to deepen the connection between people and heritage and build a legacy of increased public engagement. To achieve this objective, the Heritage Council is inviting organisations and individuals to take action and respond to the theme. For further information, visit www.eych2018.ie.
