News from the EYES Project: Discovering and Exploring Local Heritage!
The European project EYES (Exploring Youth Stories) is taking the next steps: With the newly published “Local Heritage Guide” and the launch of the first practical unit, we are bringing young cultural heritage to life. Young people from five partner countries are now beginning to explore their personal cultural heritage, and we are supporting them with practical methods and inspiration.
1. The New “Local Heritage Guide”: Why Our Cultural Heritage Matters
Cultural heritage is more than just history—it is a living part of our identity. But why is it so important to engage with it? And how can we all benefit? Our new “Local Heritage Guide” answers these questions and shows:
• Personal Identity: Our cultural heritage shapes who we are. It connects us with our family, our community, and our past.
• Social Cohesion: Understanding local traditions, languages, and customs strengthens exchange and togetherness in a diverse society.
• Education and Empowerment: Engaging with cultural heritage promotes critical thinking, creativity, and awareness of global contexts.
Cultural heritage is a vibrant learning field! It offers:
• Practical Learning Experiences: Stories, objects, and places make history tangible.
• Interdisciplinary Learning: From art to history to social sciences, cultural heritage connects different subjects.
• Empowerment for Youth: Those who know their own heritage can look to the future with confidence and advocate for its preservation and development.
Find the full “Local Heritage Guide” on this website, in the “Resources” section.
2. The First Practical Unit Begins: Youth Research Their Cultural Heritage
Theory is important—but now it’s time for practice!
Over the next few weeks, young people from all five partner countries will explore their very own cultural heritage.
They will:
• Collect stories,
• Gather ideas,
• Visit and investigate historical sites,
• Document local traditions,
• Conduct interviews with witnesses,
• Search archives and find original documents.
They will share their experiences and discoveries on explorestories.eu —stay tuned for exciting insights!
3. Support for Research: The “Youth Investigation Guide”
To support young people in their work, the EYES team has created the “Youth Investigation Guide”.
It includes three research methods to help them explore their cultural heritage in a creative and organized way:
1. Oral History – Collecting Stories through interviews: How do I conduct a good interview? How do I document memories of contemporary (eye-)witnesses?
2. Field Research: What Can Be Discovered by Personally Visiting and Investigating Historical Sites?
3. Document Search: How Can I Use Archives, Social Media, and Digital Tools for My Research?