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Shaping the Future of HERITAGE INTERPRETERS through Recognition and Professionalization
About TEHIC
Towards a European Heritage Interpretation Curriculum – TEHIC – is a European-wide project that aims at creating a standardised training curriculum for heritage interpreters at higher education levels and related training contents.
Our mission is to contribute to the recognition and professionalization of heritage interpreters, ultimately increasing their employability. To achieve this, we will offer training content online and free of charge using a Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) format.
Heritage interpretation is a profession directly related to communicating and raising awareness of heritage and thus transmitting our common European values related to cultural identity: it is based on the special link that it establishes between a heritage resource and its audience by using communication strategies.
Why do we need this project?
Heritage interpreters are often overlooked and their skills are reduced to those of tour or nature guides. Their full recognition as specific professionals means understanding their ethics and responsibility in preserving and sharing our rich heritage, leading to greater awareness, sustainable tourism and a deeper appreciation of our heritage values.
The main reason for this lack of recognition is the absence of a comprehensive university curriculum for heritage interpretation. Although some training programmes exist in Europe, they only provide partial qualifications and fail to meet the needs of students and reduce skills mismatches.
TEHIC has been designed to elevate the standards of the heritage interpreters profession and ensure the recognition it deserves at the European level. Through our higher education training program, we combine academic knowledge with practical expertise to create a well-rounded and high-quality training experience.
About the project
What's TEHIC bringing to the table?
TEHIC will be the first project of its kind developing a university curriculum on heritage interpretation at EU level and linking the academic and professional perspectives.
Through case studies, trainees will have the opportunity of learning through real successful experiences and, for the first time, an exchange about the topic between the academic and professional sectors will be possible.
According to our research and needs analysis, TEHIC training system will be the first one to provide comprehensive higher education training for heritage interpreters professionalisation based on ICT and MOOC.
About TEHIC
Who is running this project?
TEHIC partners are very active organisations in the field of Heritage interpretation in Europe. The consortium is made of 7 partners and 5 associated partners.
What to expect from TEHIC?
Heritage interpreters will strengthen their training by linking university and professional practice, resulting in a higher professionalisation and recognition of their work.
The main outcome of the project will be the development of a MOOC on heritage interpretation. In addition, the project will produce the following key results:
Analysis of best practices in heritage interpretation, compiled in a comprehensive Best Practice Manual.
Creation of a training curriculum, modules and learning units dedicated to heritage interpretation.
Raising awareness and understanding of Europe's natural and cultural heritage.
News and events
Latest updates
Resources
Resources
Project result: Best Practice Handbook 'Heritage Interpretation: a look from Europe'
This publication offers an introduction to interpretation and its evolution, insights into European training approaches, criteria for evaluating Good Practice in Heritage Interpretation, and a selection of case studies. Visit the Best Practice Handbook Website here.
Project brochure
An overview of TEHIC, its objectives, results and consortium. Download the digital version (PDF) here.