Call for Participants: Know Your Place Heritage Project Launches Across Fermanagh and Omagh

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council invites online Expressions of Interest for Know Your Place, a new heritage engagement project supported through the PEACEPLUS Programme under Theme 1.1 Building Peaceful and Thriving Communities.

The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and forms part of the Council’s Co-Designed Local Community PEACE Action Plan, which was co-designed in partnership with local communities and supported by the Fermanagh and Omagh PEACEPLUS Partnership.

The 18-month project aims to engage up to 350 participants from across the district in discovering, documenting and sharing the rich and diverse heritage of local towns, villages and rural areas. From ancient settlements and folklore to industrial history and modern day transformation, Know Your Place encourages people to come together to explore the stories that shape our shared identity.

The project aims to be delivered across all 7 District Electoral Areas: Enniskillen, Erne East, Erne North, Erne West, Mid Tyrone, Omagh and West Tyrone.

Call for Participants Now Open

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is calling on community groups, individuals, heritage enthusiasts and local schools to take part. Whether your interest lies in storytelling, oral history, creative interpretation or exploring maps, archives or local traditions, there is an opportunity to be involved.

Participants will:

· Explore their local history through research and workshops

· Develop new skills in storytelling, interpretation and digital mapping

· Contribute to pop exhibitions, performances and public showcases

· Join best practice visits and community-led discussions

· Help shape a digital archive for future generations

Workshops and schools engagement is expected to begin in the autumn, following a series of public calls and outreach during the summer months.

Speaking about the project Councillor Allan Rainey MBE, Chair of the PEACEPLUS Partnership said

“The Co-Designed Local Community PEACE Action Plan is providing significant investment to our local communities across the district. The ‘Know Your Place’ programme is one of 13 programmes outlined in the Action Plan and the PEACEPLUS Partnership look forward to seeing first-hand the positive benefits gained by re-connecting communities through delivery of local initiatives that recognise and celebrate our shared cultural heritage. This programme of activities will be both enjoyable and interesting and I would encourage everyone to take part.”

The Fermanagh and Omagh Action Plan is supported by a dedicated budget of €5,671,195 under Investment Area 1.1. The Plan focuses on three key themes: Local Community Regeneration and Transformation, Thriving and Peaceful Communities, and Celebrating Cultures and Diversity.

Through this wider programme, participants will have the opportunity to develop new relationships on a cross community and cross border basis. Activities will include sport, arts, culture, music, drama, heritage and skills development. These aim to promote greater understanding, acceptance and respect for diversity, while empowering communities to build confidence and capacity for future engagement.

Participants in Know Your Place will play a valuable role in this broader effort, helping to foster meaningful connections, preserve local stories and contribute to a more inclusive and peaceful future across the district.

Expected long-term benefits include:

· Improved understanding and respect for other cultures

· Increased confidence in expressing cultural identity and personal background

· Expanded opportunities for cross community engagement

· Stronger and lasting relationships across the District

Expressions of interest are now open on the Council website at https://form.jotform.com/251774574093061