EMPATHS

EMPATHS is an Erasmus+ project dedicated to transforming how heritage is understood, interpreted, and shared. Its goal is simple yet ambitious: to revolutionise Heritage Interpretation (HI) by strengthening community participation and empowering heritage professionals with the skills they need to co-create meaning with the people who live, work, and identify with heritage places. By advancing participatory practices, EMPATHS seeks to make heritage interpretation more inclusive, democratic, and connected to contemporary communities. 

Heritage Interpretation is evolving. It is no longer a one-way transmission of expert knowledge. EMPATHS embraces a new vision where:

• Communities are active contributors, not passive audiences
• Professionals become facilitators, helping people connect their own stories and experiences to heritage
• Interpretation supports social inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and sustainable development
• Landscapes are understood as living places, shaped by plural voices and memories

Participatory HI strengthens democracy, fosters local pride, and encourages stewardship of both cultural and natural heritage.

As the project approaches its halfway mark, EMPATHS is entering an exciting new phase.
The research stage is now complete, and partners are focusing on designing and preparing the innovative professional training programme at the core of the project.

A progress report submitted in July 2025—accepted with minimal comments—confirmed the project’s solid achievements and the strong collaboration across the consortium.

One of the signature outputs of EMPATHS is its Methodological Compendium for Participatory Heritage Interpretation, which is now nearing completion.

The compendium includes:

• An overview of the current landscape of participatory HI
• A set of ethical principles based on inclusion and democratic participation
• A series of practical steps for co-creating meaning with communities
• A complete methodology covering:
  • Situational analysis
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Participatory co-creation
  • Collaborative evaluation

Partners are currently refining the glossary, polishing the structure, and preparing a public-friendly title, with proposals such as: “Interpreting Together – A Co-Creative Framework for Inclusive Heritage Engagement” or “From Audience to Co-Creators.”

With the methodological framework close to final form, Work Package 3 is consolidating the Skills Manifesto and shaping the structure of the blended training course.

A 6-session online programme (up to 180 minutes per session) introducing key principles and skills:

• Foundations of heritage interpretation
• Community and power mapping
• Co-creating narratives
• Participatory planning and facilitation
• Sustaining community engagement
• Evaluation, feedback, and reflection

This module prepares participants for deeper, hands-on collaboration.

After the online course, heritage professionals will join 40-hour Community Labs implemented with local communities in real landscapes or heritage settings.
These labs are designed to:

• Apply participatory methods on the ground
• Strengthen collaboration between professionals and citizens
• Encourage shared learning and empowerment
• Co-create interpretation outputs rooted in community values

Work Package 4 will pilot the training programme throughout 2026, following this timeline:

• Recruitment of trainees and participating community groups
• Online module delivery: May–August 2026
• Three Community Labs piloted in September 2026
• Evaluation and analysis of feedback
• Revision and final validation by early 2027

The next Transnational Project Meeting (TPM3) will take place in April 2026 in Pozzuoli (Italy), hosted across the Campi Flegrei Archaeological Park, providing an inspiring environment for the next project phase.

EMPATHS is committed to broad visibility and open communication.
The project’s website includes multilingual content and an expanding blog.
Growing social media communities on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram help disseminate updates, stories, and results.

Consortium partners will contribute more images, field reports, and event highlights to ensure a steady flow of accessible and engaging content.

The recent project meeting in Athens marked a turning point: EMPATHS is now transitioning from research to training, piloting, and real-world application. With a nearly-finalised methodological framework and a thoroughly planned training structure, the project moves into its second half with renewed energy.

EMPATHS is laying the groundwork for a new generation of heritage professionals—skilled in participation, facilitation, and community collaboration—and more inclusive, resilient approaches to interpreting the landscapes we share.

Co-Funded by the European Union: The EMPATHS project is co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme.