From Local to Global: The Power of Heritage in a Changing World

Stories | April 20, 2026

by Emma Collins, Project Manager in Arts & Heritage

A recent report published by The Heritage Alliance in partnership with Europa Nostra UK and World Monuments Fund highlights the vital role the UK’s heritage sector plays in strengthening international partnership, cultural diplomacy and global collaboration. The report was launched at the annual Heritage Day held in London under the theme of “Heritage Connects,” a celebration of how heritage builds bridges between communities, people, and places, from the local to the international level. The report provides timely insight ahead of the UK government’s anticipated Soft Power Strategy.

The report sets out how heritage organisations – from local charities to national institutions – are strengthening the UK’s international relationships around the world, covering all seven continents and 97 different countries. The report organises this international activity into five different themes:

Focused Partnerships: Forging close relationships with heritage organisations, national and local governments and individuals around the world, establishing mutual rather than one-way exchanges
European Collaboration: Reaffirming connections to the EU and Europe more broadly, including through participation in Europa Nostra’s Awards and 7 Most Endangered programmes
Network Building: Establishing international networks for gathering and sharing information, often focused on climate change and maritime heritage as areas where many countries face similar challenges
Sharing UK Expertise: Leveraging UK expertise in a variety of heritage settings, including establishing formal training and accreditation systems for heritage skills and exporting proven models for heritage management
Targeted Funding: Recognising both large funders like the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund as well as small grants to establish and develop international activities and partnerships

While celebrating the amazing work that is already happening, the report also makes the case for why international activity and collaboration must be better supported. The report puts forward a set of recommendations for the UK government to remove barriers and unlock the full potential of international activity. These recommendations cover the key areas identified as the greatest challenges towards developing and sustaining international activity in the heritage sector, including funding, coordination and recognition, mobility and capacity.

‘From Local to Global: The Power of Heritage in a Changing World’ is available on The Heritage Alliance website: bit.ly/4r1Ze53

The Heritage Alliance is England’s largest coalition of heritage interests. It is a membership body that brings together over 200 independent organisations, who represent the full breadth of the sector. It works to champion the needs, aspirations, and achievements of its members and the wider heritage sector – influencing policy and legislation, bringing diverse groups together, and helping heritage practitioners to innovate and grow.

Europa Nostra UK (ENUK) is the Country Representation or ‘chapter’ for Europa Nostra in the UK. It encourages and supports applications to the Europa Nostra Awards and 7 Most Endangered programmes and advocates for collaboration at the European level. ENUK trustee Emma Collins acted as the lead author for ‘From Local to Global: The Power of Heritage in a Changing World.’

World Monuments Fund is an independent global heritage organisation founded in 1965, working with local communities to safeguard cultural heritage at risk from conflict, climate change, neglect and urban development. Through on-site conservation, training and advocacy, WMF works in partnerships to support the conservation of significant sites while strengthening local capacity. The organisation is headquartered in New York with offices and affiliates in Cambodia, China, France, India, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom.