Working Groups

The historic environment sector is committed to working collectively, creatively and collaboratively with others across the public, private and third sectors to protect and enhance our historic environment, supporting the outcomes of the Programme for Government and Community Plans to tackle the challenges of climate change, improve our wellbeing and economy, and renew our sense of place.

Sector Image

01. Strategy and
purpose

This group is the Steering Group for the alliance and is responsible for:

  • Leading on strategy and direction for the historic environment
  • Helping to mobilise and coordinate the sector.
WG1  Understanding Your Heritage 0

Virtuous circle, National Lottery Heritage fund

02. Advocacy and
communications

Advocacy and communications are a key group, leading on:

  • Building coalitions within the sector
  • Raising the profile of the significance of the historic environment through a web and social media presence;
  • Liaising with communities, council and government to promote the economic, environmental, social and cultural value of heritage in NI
Event At The Guildhall  Derry City

Event at The Guildhall. Derry City & Strabane District Council

03. Funding, resourcing
and resilience

This group will support the sector by working to:

  • Identify relevant funding and investment sources
  • Help organisations be ready to access various types of funding
  • Provide support around income generation, staff, governance and volunteering
Mussenden Temple At Sunset Credit National Trust Images Steven Hanna

Mussenden Temple at sunset. © National Trust Images/ Steven Hanna

04. Place Shaping

This ‘task and finish’ group was formed to:

  • Review approaches to placemaking across range of organisations/ areas
  • Identify case studies of best practice
  • Develop heritage led parameters for placemaking in NI
Armagh City Centre Heritage Visit

Heritage Alliance visit to Armagh Townscape Heritage Scheme. © Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council. Credit LiamMcArdle.com

05. Data, evidence and
research

This group is responsible for gathering relevant data to support the sector including:

  • Updated research highlighting the economic, environmental, social and cultural values of NI heritage
  • Identifying knowledge gaps
  • Taking a leading role in updates of Heritage Statistics
  • Case studies showing impact of investment in heritage
WG5  Archive-gcbf6e65ab 1920

Image from Pixabay

06. Sustainability

This group will work to support a sustainable historic environment by:

  • Advocating for climate change mitigation and adaptation
  • Case studies demonstrating role of historic environment in sustainable development
WG6  Abbey-g59a5038f5 1920

Image from Pixabay