The Young Archaeology Club has had some exciting news!
On the 14th April at The Hague in the Netherlands, The European Commission and Europa Nostra revealed the winners of the 2015 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage.
The Young Archaeology Club has been made a laureate of the 2015 EU Prize for Cultural Heritage, one of just 5 UK prize winners chosen from 263 nominees from 29 countries. There are 28 award winners in total that are honoured for outstanding achievements in four categories:
- Conservation
- Research and Digitization
- Dedicated Service to Heritage
- Education, Training and Awareness-raising
The Europa Nostra Awards is a prestigious prize in the heritage field and The European Heritage Awards Ceremony is taking place on the 11th June at the Oslo City Hall. The Young Archaeology Club will then find out if we have been chosen as one of the 7 winners to be named as Grand Prix laureates, receiving €10,000 each. This prize money will help towards our fundraising target, which is needed to keep The Young Archaeology Club running after cuts were made to funding across the heritage sector.
One of the chosen 7 Grand Prix laureates will also receive the Public Choice Awards, selected from an online poll conducted by Europa Nostra. The Young Archaeology Club would very much like you to vote for us.
Thank you!
Here is our entry information: Young Archaeologists’ Club, York, UNITED KINGDOM
The Young Archaeologists’ Club is a community-led programme which engages children in archaeology and the built environment. The Club began at the University of Cambridge in 1972 and its programme is now delivered by 600 volunteers at 70 Branches throughout the UK. In 2013 the Club provided opportunities for 7,000 children to get involved in archaeology.
At Young Archaeologists’ Club Branches, young people (age 8 -16 years) can learn together, develop strong identification with their communities and understanding of their place in the world. They develop team-working and communication skills in real-world situations. Getting involved in a Branch provides essential opportunities to meet like-minded peers exploring a subject which inspires genuine motivation, allowing young people to make the most of their individual passions and talents to raise their aspirations and realise their full potential. In a recent survey, two-thirds of Young Archaeologists’ Club Alumni had gone on to study archaeology and one-third to work in the sector. In addition, Young Archaeologists’ Club is unusual in the heritage sector in attracting, as supervisors and teachers, young volunteers, the majority between 25 and 34; it is an experience which gives valuable support as they establish their own adult lives and careers.
And this is what the Jury panel said about The Young Archaeology Club:
“The Jury were impressed with the successful achievement over many years of a simple yet vital role – to enthuse young people about archaeology and the past. The dedication that goes into the planning of activities and longer-term structure of the organisation is truly noteworthy and it is no surprise that a high percentage of members go on to study archaeology and work in this field. With many branches embedded into different organisations and geographical areas the Young Archaeologists’ Club is an outstanding achievement in education, which is particularly important when opportunities in this subject within the school curriculum are limited.”
You can vote for three winners. Listed alphabetically by country below are the 2015 Award Winners:
Category 1) Conservation
▪ Picturesque Garden of the Museum van Buuren in Brussels, BELGIUM
▪ Armenian Church and Monastery in Nicosia, CYPRUS
▪ Boulingrin Central Market Hall in Reims, FRANCE
▪ Antouaniko Mansion in Chios, GREECE
▪ Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, HUNGARY
▪ Nuragic Sculptures of Monte Prama in Sardinia, ITALY
▪ Paleochristian Mosaics of the Basilica Complex in Aquileia, ITALY
▪ The Halls Amsterdam: Centre for Media, Fashion, Culture and Crafts, THE NETHERLANDS
▪ Manor House in Eidsvoll, NORWAY
▪ Cathedral in Tarazona, SPAIN
▪ Salt Valley of Añana, Basque Country, SPAIN
▪ Armenian Church of St. Giragos in Diyarbakir, TURKEY
▪ Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, UNITED KINGDOM
▪ Stonehenge: Surrounding Landscape and Visitor Centre in Wiltshire, UNITED KINGDOM
Category 2) Research and Digitization
Research Projects:
▪ Restoration of Lasithi Plateau’s Windmills with Perforated Sails, Crete, GREECE
▪ Learning from las Cuencas: the Cultural Landscape of the Asturian Coalfields, SPAIN
Digitization Projects:
▪ HERMES: Hermoupolis Digital Heritage Management, Syros, GREECE
▪ Wonders of Venice: Virtual Online Treasures in St. Mark’s Area, ITALY
Category 3) Dedicated Service
▪ The Rundling Association, Jameln, GERMANY
▪ Huis Doorn Association of Friends, Doorn, THE NETHERLANDS
▪ Churches Conservation Trust, London, UNITED KINGDOM
Category 4) Education, Training and Awareness-Raising
Education Projects:
▪ Heritage Skills Initiative, Newcastle upon Tyne, UNITED KINGDOM
▪ Young Archaeologists’ Club, York, UNITED KINGDOM
Training Projects:
▪ Programme for Owners of Rural Buildings in Estonia, Tallinn, ESTONIA
▪ The Outbuilding Project, Roros, NORWAY
Awareness-Raising Projects:
▪ The Garden City of Stains, FRANCE
▪ Saving Past Testimonies for Building a Future, Chisinau, MOLDOVA
▪ The Fota Walled Garden, Cork, IRELAND
