Historic Buildings

Heritage Threads - A Rural Heritage Resilience Programme

Through Heritage Threads – A Rural Heritage Resilience Programme, RCN aims to strengthen the visibility, capability and long term sustainability of rural heritage across Northern Ireland. Over three years, the project will empower rural communities to better protect, record and interpret their heritage by providing targeted support, skills development, training and improved governance structures. The programme will also consolidate and elevate RCN’s role as a strategic connector in the heritage sector—linking rural groups with institutions, funders, and policymakers so that rural heritage is recognised, resourced and valued at local, regional and national levels. To achieve this, the project brings together four interconnected strands: - Facilitating and managing the NI Heritage Stakeholder Forum, strengthening sector-wide dialogue, collaboration and advocacy. - Delivering a regional pilot Community Monument Scheme, enabling rural communities to take an active role in caring for and stewarding at risk monuments. - Piloting a ‘Future Archives’ initiative across NI, supporting communities to collect, preserve and share their local stories, oral histories, photographs and cultural assets. - Providing a programme of rural-focused training and skills development, building community confidence, governance capacity and the practical skills needed to sustain heritage activity long term. Together, these threads form a coherent programme that will build community resilience, enhance sector connectivity, and secure better outcomes for rural heritage now and in the future