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Project Keykeepers Groningen
Published on 13 April 2021
Netherlands
Groningen
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Groningen Historic Churches Foundation aims to protect, restore, and maintain religious cultural heritage situated in the province of Groningen (NL) as well as to enhance interest and share knowledge of it.
Many churches in Groningen are deconsecrated, now local committees (volunteers) are responsible for the operation of the church buildings. Although no longer places of worship, the buildings form a part of our collective heritage. The Foundation explores ways to give the buildings new meaning and relevance in the lives of the villagers.
With project Keykeepers we give the churches back to village’s most important inhabitants: the children. We literally give them the key to the door, and ask them to safeguard it. They sign a contract and play an exciting game, designed to teach about the history of their church and to help them see the value of their heritage. The children work together in and around the church to solve clues and find answers. The ultimate goal is to unlock the game church.
This marks the start of a collaboration between the committee and the local school. For example: the school ‘uses’ the church as a special class room, and volunteers teach children to wind the church’s clock. This positively influences the overall liveability in the village, and it stimulates intergenerational activities.
Many churches in Groningen are deconsecrated, now local committees (volunteers) are responsible for the operation of the church buildings. Although no longer places of worship, the buildings form a part of our collective heritage. The Foundation explores ways to give the buildings new meaning and relevance in the lives of the villagers.
With project Keykeepers we give the churches back to village’s most important inhabitants: the children. We literally give them the key to the door, and ask them to safeguard it. They sign a contract and play an exciting game, designed to teach about the history of their church and to help them see the value of their heritage. The children work together in and around the church to solve clues and find answers. The ultimate goal is to unlock the game church.
This marks the start of a collaboration between the committee and the local school. For example: the school ‘uses’ the church as a special class room, and volunteers teach children to wind the church’s clock. This positively influences the overall liveability in the village, and it stimulates intergenerational activities.
Resources needed
Project coordination & promotion : €15.000
Concept development: €7.500
Design and production 10x Key Keeper chest and game: €22.500
Total: €45.000,-
Funded by: regional offices of cooperative Rabobank, Prins Bernard Cultuurfonds, and own education resources.
Concept development: €7.500
Design and production 10x Key Keeper chest and game: €22.500
Total: €45.000,-
Funded by: regional offices of cooperative Rabobank, Prins Bernard Cultuurfonds, and own education resources.
Evidence of success
Keykeepers created in 10 villages a structural cooperation between the church and the school and regained support for the building, enhancing the liveability. New generations develop a relationship with their local heritage, creating support for the future. The Keykeepers method help schools and churches in other villages to start working together. Best practices exchanged with other local committees, and heritage related stakeholders, regionally and beyond. The method was granted design awards.
Potential for learning or transfer
Project Keykeepers shows ways to be innovative regarding:
- Re-use of (listed) religious heritage buildings
- Working on a broad support for religious heritage in rural areas
- New method of heritage education which brings the classroom into the church and it's surroundings. Enforcing local identity and sense of place.
- Making children stakeholder in the care of a church, gives them insight in what heritage is and involves. This forms a base for support in the future.
- Supporting and stimulating intergenerational activities in small rural villages that struggle with demographic change, depopulation and an ageing population. And enhance the liveability.
- Win-win situation by stimulating school and church to work together
- Re-use of (listed) religious heritage buildings
- Working on a broad support for religious heritage in rural areas
- New method of heritage education which brings the classroom into the church and it's surroundings. Enforcing local identity and sense of place.
- Making children stakeholder in the care of a church, gives them insight in what heritage is and involves. This forms a base for support in the future.
- Supporting and stimulating intergenerational activities in small rural villages that struggle with demographic change, depopulation and an ageing population. And enhance the liveability.
- Win-win situation by stimulating school and church to work together
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Groningen Historic Churches Foundation - SOGK Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken
Netherlands
Groningen
Contact
Specialist Rural Development