Heritage in action: Participatory methods and digital learning sources for inclusion of youth in heritage practices and education

The main mission of the project is to analyse the existing and develop novel participatory methods and ICT tools to bring cultural heritage closer to the elementary and secondary school pupils in an interesting, creative and modern way. At the same time, the idea is to actively engage them in various heritage actions carried out within local or national communities. The central challenge, therefore, is to motivate the young to find greater interest in heritage. 

The main goal of the research project is to develop a model and to test the digital learning source prototype that will bring closer to the young various approaches to heritage practices and digital heritage content. Special focus will be placed on how to actively motivate various stakeholders, especially the young, to participate as content developers and learning source testers. In addition to a number of results (among others, a scientific article on digital heritage practices, guidelines for the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education, Science and Sports), the project team will produce two main practical results:

• A manual featuring a detailed presentation of participatory methods and methods for designing ICT tools to facilitate experiential education about cultural heritage,
• A digital education prototype to be co-designed and co-developed by primary and secondary school students from the Municipality of Ajdovščina to facilitate better promotion and education about cultural monuments in Ajdovščina (to be used by the Municipality of Ajdovščina, a local, Regional museum Nova Gorica or the Lavrič Library Ajdovščina).

Thus, the project will make an important contribution to raising the awareness of the potential of digital heritage for a more competitive and local community.