Herition: cultural heritage in protected nature reserves

Across Europe, valuable cultural heritage can be found in natural areas: from centuries-old monuments and traditional architectural styles to local customs and intangible heritage. Managing these treasures sustainably requires more than just conservation. It requires cooperation, engagement and new ways of thinking.

New models for heritage management

Herition develops innovative models for participatory heritage management. This means that not only public authorities, but also heritage owners, local communities and tourism businesses are actively involved in shaping the preservation and use of heritage. By working together and learning from one another, we strengthen the role of heritage in sustainable area development.

Focus on four pillars

Herition focuses on four key themes:

• Digitisation: Making heritage digitally accessible to a wide audience.
• Participation: Giving local communities a say in heritage management.
• Innovative funding: Developing new, sustainable ways to fund heritage projects.
• Mobility and accessibility: Ensuring that everyone can experience heritage, regardless of their background or mobility.

What role does Apeldoorn play within Herition?

The Veluwe is the largest Natura 2000 site in the Netherlands. However, the state of the natural environment there is not particularly good. The challenges include drought, acidification and the agricultural transition. At the same time, there is pressure from recreational activities. This pressure on the Veluwe is set to increase in the coming years. That is why it is important to spread tourists and day-trippers out across the Veluwe. There are opportunities here to regulate tourist flows by developing cultural and heritage offerings.

At Herition, we work together primarily to learn from and be inspired by our partners across Europe. In doing so, we focus particularly on how we

• improve our monitoring and evaluation
• improve our communication with stakeholders
• spread visitor numbers by offering an attractive range of cultural and heritage activities

Programme for the Veluwe

On 11 October 2022, the Veluwe Programme was adopted by the Municipal Executive.

The Veluwe Programme, together with its accompanying Implementation Agenda 2023–2026, sets out what the municipality of Apeldoorn aims to achieve by 2030 for the future of the Veluwe and the Veluwe’s sustainable contribution to the overall well-being of all Apeldoorn residents.

The Veluwe Programme has the following ambition:

“Strengthening, restoring and developing our natural environment in the Veluwe so that it can continue to serve as a prime location for recreational and tourist use. Through our connection with nature, the landscape and water, there is scope for high-quality and sustainable tourism, where residents and visitors are warmly welcomed and can fully enjoy culture and heritage. Agriculture will continue, become more sustainable and be better integrated with nature. New economic activity is emerging in rural areas. The quality of life in rural areas and villages is improving. The city of Apeldoorn is the green and spacious capital of the Veluwe that surrounds us and, with its pleasant living environment, is one of the pillars of our overall prosperity.”

Objectives for sustainable tourism and leisure, culture and heritage

• Higher quality of supply
• A better, more welcoming (outdoor) experience for day-trippers and tourists
• Sustainable tourism
• Better distribution of recreational pressure

These aims align perfectly with Herition’s objectives: not only to protect heritage, but also to link it to the local environment, tourism and sustainability.

Project period: May 2025 – July 2029
Total project budget: € 1.451.550
Partners: Spain, Germany, Italy, North Macedonia, Romania and the Netherlands