UNDERSTANDING LIME, HYDERABAD, INDIA
16 students from the UK and India developed skills in using lime for conservation at Osmania Women’s University College in Hyderabad, once the British Residency and one of the most important European heritage buildings at risk in India.

Read more.

THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II PLATINUM JUBILEE
COMMONWEALTH HERITAGE SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMME

In May 2022, the Commonwealth Heritage Forum launched the largest ever Commonwealth heritage programme - The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Commonwealth Heritage Skills Training Programme -  which has made £12.26 million available over 5 years to support training in heritage skills across the Commonwealth. Read more

HERITAGE AT RISK AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The conservation of historic buildings has a crucial role to play in the battle against climate change. In addition to their cultural and historic significance, demolition of historic buildings is extremely wasteful of both resources and embodied energy. In Europe, construction and demolition accounts for approximately 25% – 30% of all waste generated. We are committed to promoting a greater appreciation of the value of what already exists and assist in developing progressive conservation policies . Read more.

Anglican chapel, Ross Island, Andaman Islands.

KRIO BOARD HOUSES, FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE
Inspirational conservation projects can provide skills training and a path to employment, whilst showcasing and celebrating local culture. Our heritage skills training programme in Freetown, Sierra Leone has gone a long way in achieving this. Speaking about the programme, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs said “investing in our heritage and young people is a priority for Sierra Leone. We welcome this project and we hope that many more will follow”. Read more.

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN, GEORGETOWN, GUYANA

The City of Georgetown, Guyana, has a unique and varied heritage, but many of the features which collectively gave Georgetown its identity and joy to residents and visitors alike, have been lost, primarily through fire and redevelopment. With the support of The National Trust of Guyana we have commissioned a Conservation and Development Management Plan for Georgetown’s historic core, to be carried out by Donald Insall Associates, with assistance from architecture students at the University of Guyana. Read more about Guyana's unique heritage.

COMMONWEALTH SUMMER SCHOOL, CITY & GUILDS OF LONDON ART SCHOOL

In addition to specific projects, our programme includes flexible tiered training at all levels. In 2024 we sponsored 19 young people from across the Commonwealth to participate in a traditional crafts training Summer School at the City & Guilds of London Art School. The students developed new skills in traditional techniques, from stonework to the preparation and use of lime render, plaster, wash and limecrete, taking their new knowledge home with them.

THE HERBARIUM, BOTANIC GARDENS, KOLKATA

The Scottish Botanist William Roxburgh was the first paid Superintendent of the Garden – once the finest in Asia – and he is widely known as the Founding Father of Indian Botany.  There are three heritage buildings on the river frontage: Roxburgh House, completed in 1795, the former Herbarium and Library completed in 1883 and the late 19th century former Seed House, now the Administration Building. The first two are in near-derelict condition and at risk and require urgent work to save them. Read more about our work at Roxburgh.