Local to Global Phase 2 (2025-26): From a resilient to an adaptive network

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, such as Scotland, Wales, and South West England, 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.

Over the course of the two programme, the UK UNESCO network can expect:

1. Annual in-person workshops to scope synergies, share learning, and broker partnerships locally and globally that identify new audiences and potential funding streams.
2. Six £10,000 ‘community grants’ available for regional and national clusters of UNESCO Sites to apply for, to test and catalyse new ideas that support adaptive resilience - empowering and encouraging our sites to collaborate.
3. A new piece of groundbreaking research co-developed with our research partner, Creative PEC, measuring the financial value of UNESCO sites as clusters and networks, as well as their ability to drive long-term sustainable development.

More information on Local to Global Phase 1 (2023-24): building a resilient UNESCO network in the UK