The research features the cultural, environmental and financial value of 76 UNESCO projects in the UK. It reveals a creative network rooted in community, rich in potential, and impacting lives in Northern Ireland and around the world.
The significance of the Giant’s Causeway as a UNESCO site and Ulster University’s 2019 study investigating its economic contribution and social impact are highlighted in the report. The report also found that UNESCO projects in the UK generate an estimated £151 million of financial benefit each year and help bring communities together to protect and conserve some of the most important places across the country.
The project comprises of partnerships between 1,300 organisations, charities, and businesses. These partnerships are made mainly on a local level, between hundreds of groups all working together to support efforts in conservation, research, education, capacity building and tourism.
Professor Alan Smith, UNESCO Chair at Ulster University in Education for Pluralism, Human Rights and Democracy spoke on the impact of the report:
“Since my appointment as Chair I have experienced first-hand how highly significant the work of UNESCO is in delivering life-changing and highly impactful funding and research for the betterment of local communities.
The report published today highlights the economic and social value of UNESCO projects to Northern Ireland and the UK with a focus on sustainable resource management and protection of designations such as the Giant’s Causeway and the Marble Arch Caves.”