At HERITΛGE we are happy to share the publication of the EMPATHS Baseline Report, the first major milestone of the EMPATHS project (EMpowering landscapes with Participatory Approaches To Heritage interpretation Skills). EMPATHS is funded by the Erasmus+ programme  and its foundational report provides a comprehensive overview of the current practices, challenges, and opportunities in the field of participatory heritage interpretation, serving as a critical resource for heritage professionals, community leaders, and cultural organisations.

As the first step in the EMPATHS project, this baseline report lays the groundwork for developing a new methodological framework that empowers heritage professionals to engage more effectively with local communities. It reflects the core philosophy of the EMPATHS initiative – that heritage is a shared, living resource best understood and interpreted through the active participation of the people who interact with it.

The report, authored by Carmen Granito and Caterina De Vivo from project partner The Story Behind (Italy), draws on extensive desk research and case studies from around the world. It examines the state of participatory heritage interpretation across diverse cultural and geographic contexts, highlighting key trends, best practices, and areas for improvement.

Key Findings from the Baseline

The EMPATHS Baseline reveals that while participatory approaches are increasingly being integrated into heritage interpretation, significant challenges remain. Key findings include:

• A gap in structured competences for participatory approaches among heritage professionals.
• The need to move from expert-led, top-down interpretation models to more community-centred, collaborative approaches.
• The importance of training and capacity building to empower local voices in the interpretation process.
• Examples of successful participatory projects, such as those contributed by project partners, including the Heritage Management Organisation (Greece), Interpret Europe (Germany), PaFleg (Italy), and EMT (Greece).

The EMPATHS Baseline sets the stage for the next phase of the project, which will involve developing a comprehensive methodological framework for participatory heritage interpretation. This framework will aim to bridge the gap in skills and knowledge, helping heritage professionals create more inclusive, locally relevant interpretive strategies that reflect the diverse voices of their communities.

About the EMPATHS Consortium

For the EMPATHS project HERITΛGE has partnered with a diverse consortium of leading heritage organisations, including: The Story Behind (Italy) – lead author of the baseline study, providing critical research and analysis, Interpret Europe (Germany) – known for its pioneering work in heritage interpretation training, PaFleg (Italy) – the The Archaeological Park of Campi Flegrei,  experts in archaeological and cultural heritage management, The Ethnological Museum of Thrace, (Greece) – focused on integrating education and heritage interpretation to foster community engagement and the Karawanken-Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark (Austria and Slovenia) – Known for its cross-border heritage and geodiversity, this geopark promotes sustainable development and environmental education through heritage interpretation.

To download the EMPATHS Baseline, visit Project Result page.

This project is co-funded by the European Union.