Building stronger heritage organisations through collaboration

My reflections from Malta – a blog by Ellie Oliver, INTO Communications Manager

Last week, I had the privilege of taking part in the Inclusive European Heritage Residency 2026 in Malta, a joint initiative delivered by Europa Nostra and INTO, and hosted by the remarkable team at Din l-Art Ħelwa (DLĦ).

Bringing together heritage professionals from across Europe, the residency was designed as a week of learning, exchange and collaboration. Through site visits, workshops and plenty of informal conversations, we explored everything from governance and fundraising to advocacy, volunteering and organisational resilience.

What I’ll remember most, however, isn’t the programme itself. It’s the people.

From the very beginning, there was a genuine sense of openness and generosity among participants. We came from different countries, organisations and professional backgrounds, but it quickly became clear that many of us are wrestling with the same challenges. How do we engage communities? How do we recruit and retain volunteers? How do we build sustainable organisations?

The residency created a rare opportunity to discuss these questions honestly with peers who truly understand the realities of heritage work.

One of the greatest strengths of the week was the chance to learn directly from Din l-Art Ħelwa (DLĦ) and see its work first hand. For more than 60 years, DLĦ has protected Malta’s cultural and natural heritage through conservation, advocacy and public engagement, growing from a small volunteer-led organisation into Malta’s National Trust. Throughout the residency, participants were able to learn not only about the organisation’s history and governance, but also the strategic decisions, partnerships and community relationships that have helped sustain its work over time.

What made the programme particularly valuable was the opportunity to connect these discussions to real places. Each day, we explored sites cared for by DLĦ, using them as living case studies to discuss conservation, volunteer management, fundraising, advocacy and organisational resilience in practice.

The sites we visited included:

• Majjistral Nature and History Park
• Our Lady of Victory Church, Valletta
• St Agatha’s Tower (The Red Tower)
• The White Tower, Mellieħa
• British Barracks at Fort Chambray, Gozo
• Dwejra Tower, Gozo
• Chapel of Bir Miftuħ
• Msida Bastion Historic Garden and Cemetery

Throughout these visits, we heard directly from volunteers, staff and supporters who are safeguarding Malta’s heritage with incredible passion and determination. What impressed me most was not just the scale of what the organisation has achieved, but the commitment behind it. Time and again, we met people giving their energy, expertise and time because they genuinely care about protecting places for future generations.

The residency also gave DLĦ an opportunity to showcase its work, celebrate its volunteers and receive feedback from colleagues across Europe. Watching participants engage so enthusiastically with the organisation’s projects, people and places, it was clear that the week delivered value not only for delegates but also for the hosts themselves.

From an INTO perspective, the week was a powerful reminder of why international networks matter.

Several exciting conversations emerged about future partnerships, potential memberships and opportunities for collaboration. The residency also reinforced the value of creating spaces where heritage professionals can learn from one another, exchange ideas and build relationships that continue long after an event has ended.

Perhaps most encouragingly, the feedback shared during the final review session was exactly what I hope people experience through INTO programmes: practical learning, meaningful connections and fresh perspectives that can be taken back and applied within their own organisations.

Above all, I left Malta feeling inspired.

On behalf of everyone at INTO, I would like to offer our sincere thanks to our partners at Europa Nostra and to the entire team at Din l-Art Ħelwa. Hosting a residency of this nature requires an enormous investment of time, energy and resources, and the generosity with which the organisation shared its work, people and expertise was truly exceptional.

The pride that DLĦ’s staff and volunteers have in Malta’s heritage is infectious. Their willingness to open up their projects, discuss their challenges honestly and welcome participants into their organisation made the residency far richer than any classroom-based programme could ever be.

We came away with new ideas, new connections and a deep admiration for what Din l-Art Ħelwa has achieved over many decades. More importantly, we came away reminded that heritage is, at its heart, about people: the communities, volunteers, professionals and advocates who dedicate themselves to protecting the places that matter.

Thank you for an unforgettable week. We are proud to have partnered with you and look forward to seeing how the relationships and ideas sparked in Malta continue to grow in the years ahead.