Frequently Asked Questions

Due to high demand we cannot facilitate groups or schools that have previously taken part in Heritage Keepers.

We will begin delivery in late Autumn every year.

There are 5 modules in the HK programme through which participants will begin to explore the built, natural and cultural heritage of their area. Activities and resource sharing will provide a start point for discovering the many aspects of your local place and to identify meaningful local actions which could enhance these places for all.

The 5 modules are;

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• Introduction and My Place – this module will introduce participants to the Heritage Keepers approach. We will begin to consider the layers of your place, what you like or dislike about your place and the local assets which exist.
• Culture and the past – using a variety of online resources we investigate what life was like in our place in the past. We learn about the legacy left by our ancestors; the stories and folklore, monuments and buildings.
• Biodiversity and land use – the natural heritage which surrounds us all is the topic of module three. We look to identify the changes in land use and our local environments and think about what we can do to protect biodiversity locally.
• The Future – having considered our places as they currently are, we look to the future and how we would like it to be. Initial ideas for action plans are discussed and a framework for moving them forward will be shared.
• Planning for action – We look to finalise local action plans as well as discussing how to engage the wider community and sharing some inspiration from actions already taken.

No – that’s just the start! Once the workshops have been completed participants will work on their local action plans, called PLACE plans. The Heritage Keepers team will provide ongoing support and mentoring. There is then an opportunity to apply to us for funding for you project and for a local fieldtrip. We will continue to support you while you are work on your projects. Both schools and groups have a celebration and networking event to conclude the programme.

Communities can learn about their place, in their place, and for their place. Our places are made up of many layers – each place has its own unique history, geography, environment, culture and community which has shaped it over the years. Getting to know and experience the various aspects of our place and how they are interlinked can enhance our connection to that place, and the community that call it home.

Heritage Keepers programme is an opportunity for your community to learn more about your place and how you can work together to look after it, and each other.

The programme is open to two cohorts; 5th and 6th classes in primary schools and adult community groups.

Yes, but you need a minimum of 5 other adults to take part with you! Perhaps you could try and get a local community group involved and take part with them? Or set up your own local group. Note that groups need a minimum of 6 people to take part and we will seek the name and contact details of each person taking part.

Unfortunately we are limited by capacity so we will not be able to deliver the programme to everyone that expresses interest. As long as you meet the basic criteria your school or group will be eligible and random selection will then take place to choose the participants. We are hoping that the programme will be made more widely available year on year.

No, grants are only available to groups and schools who fully participate in the programme.

There are absolutely no costs for participation in HK.

The grants available depend on whether you are a group or school. Schools can avail of up to €500 for a project or action and up to €350 for a local fieldtrip to a heritage site. Groups can avail of up to €1000 for a project or action and up to €350 for a local fieldtrip to a heritage site.

No we pay grants directly to suppliers on the basis of quotes or proforma invoices.

Example 1; A school want to plant a mini woodland, so they get a quote or a proforma invoice  from a nursery for 20 native trees. We pay the nursery directly.

Example 2; A group want to engage a local tour guide to give a tour of the heritage in their area. So they get a quote or proforma invoice from a tour guide and we pay the tour guide directly.

Under the project/action grant we can pay up to 3 suppliers and under the fieldtrip grant we can pay up to 2 suppliers.

No, if you want to shop around that’s up to you but we only need to see the quote / proforma invoice of the supplier you want us to pay.

Yes, VAT needs to be included on quotes / invoices as part of the cost if applicable.

No, we cannot facilitate schools and groups who miss the grant deadlines.

No, you will be asked to provide a short report and photographs of your project and / or fieldtrip that we funded. If you cannot provide these in a timely manner we will seek a return of funds.

Yes as long as you let us know on the grant application.

If selected to participate you will be expected to;

• Commit to engaging in the workshops (five x 2-hour evening sessions)
• Plan and  complete a local action project (for which dedicated funding is available)
• Fill out a short report form on how your project went
• Participate in networking/celebration event if possible.

Any type! We have had Tidy Towns, Mens Sheds, resident associations, music groups, sports clubs and farmers groups take part to name but some.

We cannot facilitate multiple classes taking part from the same school unless they are all in the same room.

We have worked with a number of similar classes and teachers have told us that it worked well. Every class is different but there are elements of the programme that can be adapted to suit the teachers and pupils needs.

Place-based learning is not an additional element to the existing curriculum, rather it is a method of delivering the curriculum.

For primary schools, the activities and skills in Heritage Keepers very clearly address elements of the SESE and SPHE curricula as well as having potential application to the Arts Education and Primary Language curricula. A research project conducted by Burrenbeo Trust outlined the strands and strand units which can follow a place-based approach, more details are available on this document.

Heritage Keepers also has the potential to address many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly 3: Good Health and Well-being, 4: Quality Education, 11: Sustainable cities and communities, 12: Responsible consumption and production, 13: Climate action, 14: Life below water, 15: Life on land and 17: Partnerships for the goals.

If selected to participate you will be expected to;

• Commit to engaging in the workshops (five x 1 hour sessions) followed by 5 hours of teachers led activities.
• Plan and complete a local action project (for which dedicated funding is available)
• Fill out a short report form on how your project went
• Participate in the online celebration event.