EcoHeritage is a real project that we want to use to share our experience of supporting an international consortium from the initial idea to the final results and impact. We will also cover how we overcame unforeseen events and found practical solutions as part of the daily management of a European project.
Turning an idea into a funded proposal
Many European projects begin with a shared need or an idea with potential. In the case of EcoHeritage, the idea was centred on ecomuseums and their role in heritage preservation, with communities taking the lead through participatory management models. The Centre of International Excellence in Heritage (CEI Patrimonio), led by the University of Jaén, was already working in this area and wanted to increase its impact at a European level.
However, having a clear idea is not enough to secure funding. The application process requires translating that vision into a solid proposal that aligns with the programme’s priorities (in this case, Erasmus), clearly demonstrates European added value and shows real capacity for implementation through a well-designed work plan, budget and task allocation. That’s where we came in: we helped shape the proposal, found the right partners and prepared all the necessary documentation.
What is EcoHeritage?
EcoHeritage (Ecomuseums as a collaborative approach to recognition, management and protection of cultural and natural heritage) is a project co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme under the Key Action 2: ‘Cooperation between organisations and institutions’, specifically within the scope of strategic alliances for adult education.Running from December 2020 to May 2023, it received a grant of €304,929.
EcoHeritage’s overarching goal is to raise awareness of and promote ecomuseums as a sustainable and collaborative model for heritage management, fostering economic growth and social cohesion in rural communities within the consortium countries.
Coordinated by the Center of International Excellence in Heritage (CEI Patrimonio), the project brought together partners from Italy (the University of Milano-Bicocca and the Ecomuseum of Parabiago), Poland (the Foundation of Active People and Places), Portugal (MINOM-ICOM (the International Movement for a New Museology) and the Universidade Lusófona) and Spain (the University of Alcalá and OnProjects). Each partner, with their own specific expertise, contributed to the development of the project’s technical content. OnProjects, a consultant specialising in the management and communication of European projects, ensured that the project’s objectives were aligned with those of the programme and maintained good coordination between the partners.
Starting a project in the middle of a pandemic
Shortly after we secured funding, the pandemic hit, forcing us to change our initial plans. We had to adapt the schedule, cancel face-to-face meetings, and address practical concerns about how to proceed without jeopardising team cohesion.
This situation led us to reconsider many things. For example, we reconsidered how data was collected for reports and how remote teams were coordinated. We increased the frequency of virtual meetings, adapted work methodologies, and prioritised tasks that could be completed despite the circumstances. Additionally, we had to include elements in the virtual meetings to energise and unite the team, similar to those included in face-to-face meetings, but adapted to this format.
For several months, project management involved constant monitoring, weekly adjustments, and resolving administrative issues that arose with each change. Flexibility in management was essential to maintain project quality without compromising on deadlines and objectives.
The complexity of working with diverse teams
One of the least visible yet most significant challenges in European projects is managing multicultural teams.. Different working methods, expectations and timings require a comprehensive approach, as well as clarity and determination. In this case, EcoHeritage brought together cultural entities, academic institutions, and heritage professionals from various European countries. Each entity brought its own approach to the project, with different ways of organising work and understanding its rhythms.
Managing this diversity involved establishing clear communication channels, ensuring everyone understood their commitments and being flexible in the face of the unexpected. This enabled a coherent line of work to be maintained and mutual understanding among the partners to be facilitated, creating an environment that favoured the formation of future synergies.
Results that bring value beyond the project
EcoHeritage has officially been recognised as a good practice example by the Erasmus+ programme. One of its key accomplishments was the development of a training platform licensed under Creative Commons to support communities interested in establishing ecomuseums and promoting participatory heritage management initiatives. Its results include:
- A free, multilingual training platform offering theoretical and practical resources on ecomuseums.
- A European Online Network of Ecomuseums, providing a space for digital collaboration between institutions, ecomuseums, and professionals to share experiences and address common challenges.
- A transnational report analysing the state of ecomuseums in Italy, Portugal, Poland and Spain.
- A best practice manual containing real case studies that are useful for those seeking to replicate similar models.
- Training modules focusing on sustainability and community participation as pillars of heritage management.
All these resources are available in English and the consortium languages (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Polish) on learning.ecoheritage.eu. Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Polish.
In addition to these resources, the project has provided valuable lessons learned, from designing useful training for communities with limited access to these contents to effective strategies for documenting and sharing good practices.
Another significant achievement was the project’s ability to generate long-term positive impacts beyond tangible results. Not only did EcoHeritage provide relevant content for the sustainable and collaborative preservation and management of cultural and natural heritage, it also strengthened the internal capacities of the participating organisations, fostered new synergies, consolidated an active network of people committed to the principles of community museology and expanded the international reach of the partners involved.
Lessons learned along the way
Some lessons can only be learned through direct experience. One such lesson is that even well-designed European projects require adjustments on the fly. Adaptability is as important as a good initial plan.
Implementing initiatives of this type is often an art form. As well as meeting programme requirements, this involves building trusting relationships, maintaining collaborative structures, and finding practical solutions to unforeseen challenges.
The EcoHeritage case study shows that efficient management enables you to achieve your planned objectives and turns a project into a transformative experience with real, lasting impact.
Looking for an experienced partner to manage your European project? We are here to help you!
Contact us and let’s explore together how to collaborate.
