Zprávy památkové péče 2022, 82(3):447-454 | DOI: 10.56112/zpp.2022.2.18

Volunteering and cooperation with local communities at heritage sites under the administration of the National Heritage Institute

Nikola Kassl¹, Kateřina Dryáková²

¹ NPÚ, ÚPS v Praze

² NPÚ, GnŘ v Praze

The study presents the phenomenon of volunteering at heritage sites under the administration of the National Heritage Institute and a brief history of volunteer activities in the field of heritage conservation in our territory. It also introduces the general legislative anchorage of volunteer activities in the Czech Republic, which is followed by the internal regulations of the National Heritage Institute. The article presents the results of qualitative research on the cooperation of heritage objects with volunteers and local residents, which was conducted in the form of semi-structured interviews with selected castellans and cooperating subjects. The research was based on the assumption of the importance of working with local or heritage communities, as they are important agents in the image and interpretation of cultural heritage by the general public. The focus was therefore on existing experiences and benefits, but also complications related to the organization and administration of volunteer events. On the basis of the data obtained, possible recommendations are then presented that could help in the development of volunteering at heritage sites under the administration of the National Heritage Institute. Along with the undeniable social benefits, the issue of measuring the economic value of volunteering is also outlined.

Keywords: volunteering; local community; heritage community; heritage object; National Heritage Institute; economic value of volunteering

Published: September 1, 2022  Show citation