The UK National Commission for UNESCO is developing adaptive regional networks of UNESCO Designated Sites in the UK through our ‘Local to Global’ programme, which is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.
Building on the success and lessons of the first phase of the Local to Global project the UK National Commission for UNESCO, with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, commenced its second phase in January 2025.
Local to Global 2.0 focuses on creating regional networks of UNESCO sites within the UK’s nations while offering, and testing, targeted community grants to amplify local impact. These initiatives will aim to deepen collaboration, build resilience, and connect communities more effectively, to UNESCO’s global mission.
A key innovation in this phase is the development of regional networks to bring together UNESCO sites by country. By fostering closer connections between the UK's 60+ UNESCO sites within regions the project enables them to share resources, ideas, and strategies more effectively. These networks not only strengthen local ties but also enhance the UK’s collective contributions to addressing global challenges, such as the impacts of climate change.
To achieve the programme objectives, three key project elements will be realised:
