Community Engagement & Mapping

Module 5

Discover how local communities can actively contribute to safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage through participation, collaboration, and community mapping. Learn how to identify local assets, engage stakeholders, and transform community knowledge into meaningful actions that support sustainable rural development.

Estimated Duration: 4 hours;

Lead Partner: Open impact (Italy)

About this Module

Community engagement is at the heart of safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage and creating sustainable, community-driven initiatives. This module introduces participants to the principles of community engagement and explores how local people can actively contribute to identifying, preserving, and promoting the unique identity of their communities.

Throughout the module, participants examine what makes a community, why participation matters, and how collaborative approaches strengthen heritage preservation and rural tourism. They explore practical engagement methods, identify hidden community assets, and learn how community mapping can transform local knowledge, stories, traditions, and social connections into valuable resources for planning and development.

Using their Training Case, participants progressively develop practical tools that help them understand local communities, engage stakeholders, and create maps that reflect both the tangible and intangible characteristics of a place.

Duration
4 Hours
 
 
 
 
 
Activities
Icebreaker
Concept presentation
Community Engagement Activities
Group activities
Reflection & discussion
Lead Partner
Open Impact (Italy)
Main Focus
Community Engagement
Community Mapping
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Participatory Approaches
Community Assets & Stakeholders

What will you learn?

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

Module Schedule

Follow the recommended learning sequence below. Each step builds upon the previous one, combining conceptual presentations, collaborative activities, and reflection to help you apply the module content to your Training Case.

Understand community engagement for safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Promote inclusive participation in community heritage initiatives.

Apply community mapping to explore local heritage and resources.

Identify community assets that strengthen local identity.

Support sustainable local development through community engagement.

Module Schedule

Follow the recommended learning sequence below. Each step builds upon the previous one, combining conceptual presentations, collaborative activities, and reflection to help you apply the module content to your Training Case.

Activity “Icebreaker – Our Community and Heritage”

Presentation — The “Science and Art” of Community Engagement

Activity 1 — ICH Risks & Community Safeguarding

Presentation —The Ladder of Participation & Inclusion Strategies.

Break

Activity 2 — Asset ID in Remote Areas

Presentation —Theory of Community vs. Standard Mapping. Strategies.

Activity 3 — Mapping the Invisible

Activity  —Reflection & Debrief

Activities

Activity “Icebreaker – You need a village“

15-20 minutes • Icebreaker•Group Activity •

Participants begin by reflecting on how their own communities perceive local heritage and the role that community members play in preserving traditions, stories and local identity. Through guided discussion, they explore the relationship between people, belonging and Intangible Cultural Heritage while connecting these ideas to their own Training Case

  • Help participants to get to know each other ;
  • Create a safe and open learning atmosphere;
  • Encourage an emotional connection to participants’ chosen place;
  • Help participants to focus on their personal experience with ICH

15  – 20 minutes

N/A

N/A

Step 1 – Quick Individual Reflection (2–3 minutes)

Ask participants:

  • How does your local community currently view its own heritage?
  • Does the community there feel proud of their ICH, or is it overlooked?

They can reflect silently for one minute.

Step 2 – Pair Share (4 minutes)

Participants turn to the person next to them and briefly share:

  • Their community view on their ICH
  • Whether they feel proud about it

Step 3 – Plenary Debrief (3–4 minutes)

Ask 3–4 volunteers to share their experience on the relation between their community and ICH

  • Start with a personal story about your ICH, share how it involves you and your community
  • Clearly explain the time limit to keep the activity dynamic
  • Move between groups to support participation and timing
  • Encourage respectful listening and curiosity
  • Reassure participants that imagined objects are equally valid
  • Keep the plenary feedback short and focused

Activity-Presentation” The “Science and Art of Community Engagement”

20 minutes • Presentation 

This presentation explores the meaning of community and community engagement, explaining how active participation supports the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and contributes to sustainable tourism development. Participants also examine the benefits, challenges, and principles of community-based approaches in rural and remote areas.

  • Understand the concept of community and community engagement.
  • Recognise the importance of community participation in safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.
  • Explore the role of community engagement in sustainable tourism development.
  • Reflect on the risks and opportunities of heritage-based tourism.

Aproximately 20 minutes

  • Slides 5-14 from Presentation”Community Engagement and Mapping”
  • Computer or laptop
  • Projector/screen (for classroom delivery)
  • Internet connection (for online delivery)

Before starting the presentation:

  • Ensure the presentation is available and opens correctly.
  • Check that participants can access the presentation (online or downloadable).
  • Encourage participants to take notes during the presentation.
  • Invite participants to keep in mind the ideas and reflections they shared during the icebreaker.
  • Explain that the concepts introduced in the presentation will provide the foundation for the practical activities and will be applied throughout the module using their Training Case.

The facilitator introduces the concepts of community, engagement, and community-based tourism, highlighting how local participation contributes to safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. Through examples and guided discussion, participants explore the characteristics of strong communities, the principles of effective engagement, the benefits of involving local stakeholders, and the importance of balancing tourism development with the preservation of local identity. The presentation concludes with a short reflection on the risks of heritage-based tourism and how community engagement can contribute to more authentic and sustainable outcomes.

Activity 1 – ICH Risks & Community Safeguarding

40 minutes • Group Activity • Training Case

A critical thinking exercise where participants identify the risks of commodifying heritage (e.g., “Disneyfication”) and propose community-led solutions.

  • Recognize threats to ICH authenticity and define safeguarding strategies.

40 minutes

  • Pens
  • Paper

The trainer prepares pens and paper for each group and, if needed, selects one example of tourism-related pressure on local traditions to introduce the activity and stimulate discussion. Ensure the space allows small group work and group sharing.

Step 1 - Risk Identification
Description

Groups list 3 potential negative impacts of tourism on local traditions (e.g., loss of meaning, exclusion of locals).

15 minutes

  • N/A
Description

Strategy Building Groups propose “Counterweights” based on community engagement principles (e.g., community-led tours, profit-sharing).

15 minutes.

N/A

Description

Each group presents their “Safe Development” strategy.

10 minutes

N/A

  • Set the atmosphere: Create a positive and open environment where participants feel comfortable sharing ideas, emotions, and personal experiences connected to their local heritage or identity.
  • Encourage inclusion: Pay attention to group dynamics—ensure all voices are heard, especially across different generations or experience levels. Pair participants with complementary strengths.
  • Be flexible: Adapt the tasks according to participants’ comfort levels, local context, and available tools. Support those with less digital experience or language barriers.
  • Foster collaboration: Remind participants to plan, communicate, and distribute roles before starting the task. Emphasize cooperation over competition.
  • Promote respect and empathy: Encourage active listening, fair participation, and sensitivity to cultural and personal stories that may emerge during the activity. Address any conflicts constructively.

Additional Tips:

  • Be enthusiastic and supportive—motivate participants to engage both emotionally and creatively.
  • Manage time carefully to maintain focus while ensuring all participants contribute.
  • Adjust for group size or context (e.g., small rural groups, mixed ages, or hybrid sessions).
  • Document the process (photos, notes, quotes) for later reflection or inclusion in the Digital Collection.

Use your Training Case as the basis for this activity. Reflect on the potential risks that tourism could pose to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of your chosen place and identify how active community engagement could help safeguard its traditions, identity, and authenticity. Your reflections will provide a foundation for the following activities, where you will identify community assets and explore ways to engage local stakeholders in preserving and promoting heritage.

Activity-Presentation” The Ladder of Participation & Inclusion Strategies”

25 minutes • Presentation 

This presentation explores different levels of community participation and introduces practical strategies for engaging local communities in safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. Participants learn how trust, inclusion, and transparency contribute to meaningful participation and community-led heritage initiatives.

  • Understand different levels of community participation.
  • Recognise the principles of effective community engagement.
  • Explore inclusive approaches for engaging diverse community members.
  • Identify practical strategies for building trust and collaboration.

25 minutes

  • Slides 16-19 from Presentation”Community Engagement and Mapping”
  • Computer or laptop
  • Projector/screen (for classroom delivery)
  • Internet connection (for online delivery)

Before starting the presentation:

  • Ensure the presentation is available and opens correctly.
  • Check that participants can access the presentation (online or downloadable).
  • Encourage participants to take notes during the presentation.
  • Ask participants to reflect on the people and groups connected to their Training Case.
  • Explain that the concepts introduced will help them identify community assets and design engagement approaches in the following activities.

The facilitator introduces the Ladder of Participation to illustrate different levels of community involvement, from informing and consulting to collaborating and empowering communities. Participants explore the key principles of effective engagement—trust, inclusion, and transparency—and discuss practical approaches for involving local stakeholders in heritage initiatives. The presentation also highlights the importance of listening, reciprocity, and inclusive participation, encouraging participants to consider how these principles can strengthen the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and support sustainable community development.

Activity 2: Asset ID in Remote Areas

40 minutes • Group Activity • Training Case
  • Select a remote area from your training case.
  • Identify 3 hidden assets (a story, a skill, a ritual).
  • Define one method to involve the local community (or diaspora) in sharing these.
  • By the end of the activity, participants will be able to identify three hidden assets in a remote area and suggest one simple way to share them with the local community or diaspora.

40 minutes

  • Pen
  • Paper.

The trainer prepares pens and paper for each group, ensures participants understand the concept of “hidden assets,” and briefly explains the three categories: story, skill, and ritual. The trainer may prepare one example in advance to support participants.

Step 1
Description

The trainer briefly introduces the activity and explains the task: participants will identify three hidden assets from a remote area, focusing on one story, one skill, and one ritual.

15 minutes

N/A

Description

Participants work in pairs and share their ideas, discussing the hidden assets they identified and one simple way to involve the local community or diaspora in sharing them.

15 minutes.

N/A

Description

Volunteers share their reflections with the group. The trainer highlights common ideas and key insights.

10 minutes

N/A

Before and During the Activity:

  • Set the atmosphere: Create a positive and open environment where participants feel comfortable sharing ideas, emotions, and personal experiences connected to their local heritage or identity.
  • Encourage inclusion: Pay attention to group dynamics—ensure all voices are heard, especially across different generations or experience levels. Pair participants with complementary strengths.
  • Be flexible: Adapt the tasks according to participants’ comfort levels, local context, and available tools. Support those with less digital experience or language barriers.
  • Foster collaboration: Remind participants to plan, communicate, and distribute roles before starting the task. Emphasize cooperation over competition.
  • Promote respect and empathy: Encourage active listening, fair participation, and sensitivity to cultural and personal stories that may emerge during the activity. Address any conflicts constructivel.

Additional Tips:

  • Be enthusiastic and supportive—motivate participants to engage both emotionally and creatively.
  • Manage time carefully to maintain focus while ensuring all participants contribute.
  • Adjust for group size or context (e.g., small rural groups, mixed ages, or hybrid sessions).
  • Document the process (photos, notes, quotes) for later reflection or inclusion in the Digital Collection.

Use your Training Case as the basis for this activity. Identify the hidden assets that make your chosen place unique, such as local stories, traditional skills, rituals, or cultural practices. Then consider how local community members or the diaspora could be engaged to preserve, share, and promote these assets. Your work will provide the foundation for the final community mapping activity, where these assets will be visualised within the wider community context.

Activity-Presentation” Theory of Community vs. Standard Mapping”

15 minutes • Presentation 

This presentation introduces Community Mapping as a participatory tool for documenting and visualising Intangible Cultural Heritage. Participants explore how community mapping differs from traditional mapping and how it can reveal the stories, relationships, and cultural assets that define a place.

  • Understand the principles of community mapping.
  • Differentiate community mapping from standard mapping.
  • Recognise how community mapping supports Intangible Cultural Heritage.
  • Explore community mapping as a participatory planning tool.

15 minutes

  • Slides 21-23,25 from Presentation”Community Engagement and Mapping”
  • Computer or laptop
  • Projector/screen (for classroom delivery)
  • Internet connection (for online delivery)

Before starting the presentation:

  • Ensure the presentation is available and opens correctly.
  • Check that participants can access the presentation (online or downloadable).
  • Encourage participants to take notes during the presentation.
  • Ask participants to think about the community assets they identified in their Training Case during the previous activity.
  • Explain that these assets will be used to create a community map in the practical activity that follows.

The facilitator introduces Community Mapping as a participatory approach that captures the cultural, social, and intangible dimensions of a place. Participants compare community mapping with traditional mapping, exploring how local knowledge, stories, relationships, and lived experiences complement geographic information. The presentation highlights how community mapping helps make Intangible Cultural Heritage visible, strengthens community participation, and supports the development of authentic, community-led heritage and tourism initiatives. It prepares participants to transform the assets identified in their Training Case into a visual representation of their community.

Activity 3: Mapping the “Invisible”

45 minutes • Group Activity • Training Case
Brief Description

A hands-on mapping session where participants draw their sensory and social experience of a place on a physical map.

  • Translate intangible data (sounds, smells, social rules) into a visual resource for planning.

45 minutes

  • Physical paper map of the area
  • Colored markers
  • Post-it
  • Tape.
  • Adapt the map: if you are in a rural village, use a hand-drawn topographical map. If you are in a city, use a standard street map but encourage participants to “draw over the lines.”
  • Language & symbols: in multicultural groups, encourage the use of drawings and universal symbols (e.g., a musical note for sounds) to overcome language barriers.
  • Always end by asking: “how does this map change the way we would design a tour for this area?” this connects the exercise to professional tourism development.
Step 1
Description

Sensory plotting: draw icons for “sensory anchors” (where do you hear music? Where are the distinct smells? Where is it quiet?).

15 minutes

  • Physical paper map of the area
  • Colored markers
  • Post-it
Description

Social hubs (10 min): mark locations where locals naturally gather (unwritten “social rules” of the space).

1 5minutes 

  • Physical paper map of the area
  • Colored markers
  • Post-it
Description

Personal connections (10 min): participants mark a spot that reminds them of a tradition from their own home/culture (creating an “international bridge”).

10 minutes 

  • Physical paper map of the area
  • Colored markers
  • Post-it
Description

Gallery walk: groups look at each other’s maps to see overlapping “hotspots” of heritage.

10 minutes 

  • Tape

Before and During the Activity:

  • Set the atmosphere: Create a positive and open environment where participants feel comfortable sharing ideas, emotions, and personal experiences connected to their local heritage or identity.
  • Encourage inclusion: Pay attention to group dynamics—ensure all voices are heard, especially across different generations or experience levels. Pair participants with complementary strengths.
  • Be flexible: Adapt the tasks according to participants’ comfort levels, local context, and available tools. Support those with less digital experience or language barriers.
  • Foster collaboration: Remind participants to plan, communicate, and distribute roles before starting the task. Emphasize cooperation over competition.
  • Promote respect and empathy: Encourage active listening, fair participation, and sensitivity to cultural and personal stories that may emerge during the activity. Address any conflicts constructivel.

Additional Tips:

  • Be enthusiastic and supportive—motivate participants to engage both emotionally and creatively.
  • Manage time carefully to maintain focus while ensuring all participants contribute.
  • Adjust for group size or context (e.g., small rural groups, mixed ages, or hybrid sessions).
  • Document the process (photos, notes, quotes) for later reflection or inclusion in the Digital Collection.

Use your Training Case as the basis for this activity. Create a community map that brings together the hidden assets, local stories, traditions, community relationships, and places of cultural significance identified throughout the module. Your completed map will provide a visual representation of the unique identity of your chosen place and demonstrate how community engagement can support the safeguarding and promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Activity-Debriefing & Reflection:

10 minutes • Group Activity • Training Case
Brief Description

This debriefing session encourages participants to reflect on how community mapping and community engagement contribute to the creation of authentic and sustainable heritage-based tourism experiences. Participants connect the outcomes of the module with their own Training Case and identify key lessons for future practice

10 minutes

Facilitate a group discussion using the reflection questions provided. Invite participants to share how the community map they created could strengthen their tourism product and how involving local communities contributes to preserving authenticity and safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. Encourage participants to compare different perspectives, identify key takeaways from the module, and reflect on how they can apply these approaches in their own communities and future heritage initiatives.

Reflection Questions:

  • How does mapping improve your tourism product?
  • Take your identified assets and think: how does involving the community make your final product more authentic?

Module Resources

This section contains all the supporting materials referenced in the “Materials Needed” section of each activity. As you progress through the module, you can access or download presentations, worksheets, templates, handouts, and additional resources to support your learning and the development of your Training Case.

Note: Each activity highlights the presentation slides most relevant to its topic. However, the complete presentation contains additional theory, examples, discussion prompts, and reflection activities that complement the module. You are encouraged to explore the full presentation for a broader understanding of community engagement and community mapping.

Activity-Presentation” The “Science and Art of Community Engagement”

Download the presentation and supporting handout(s) for this activity before you begin.

Community Engagement & Mapping (Slides 5–14)
Download Presentation
Activity- Presentation” The Ladder of Participation & Inclusion Strategies”

Download the presentation and supporting handout(s) for this activity before you begin.

Community Engagement & Mapping (Slides 15–19)
Download Presentation
Activity- Presentation” Theory of Community vs. Standard Mapping”

Download the presentation and supporting handout(s) for this activity before you begin.

Community Engagement & Mapping (Slides 20–24)
Download Presentation
Explore other resources
📚 Case Studies & Best Practices- #ASenseofEU Digital Collection
Explore the Digital Collection
🌐 Community Stories & Heritage – #ASenseofEU Digital Collection:
Explore the Digital Collection
🌐 UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
UNESCO – Dive into Intangible Cultural Heritage

Continue Your Training Case

Before moving to the next module, review your notes and update your Training Case with the knowledge, ideas, and materials developed throughout this module.

Record:

  • The main community assets connected to your chosen place.
  • The potential risks and opportunities related to heritage-based tourism.
  • Practical strategies for engaging local communities and stakeholders.
  • Your completed Community Map highlighting the stories, traditions, places, relationships, and cultural assets that make your place unique.
Continue to Module 6
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