The Citizen Science–Driven Value-Based Strategic Direction of Scientific Research of Heritage project examines how the general public can meaningfully contribute to a deeper understanding of the social, environmental, and economic values of cultural heritage. By positioning citizens as active participants rather than passive observers, the project aims to develop a more inclusive and sustainable approach to heritage research and management—one that genuinely reflects community needs, public interests, and long-term sustainability objectives. Two case studies, conducted at the National Gallery of Slovenia and the Križanke complex, will serve as key sites where citizens and experts collaborate through surveys, focus groups, and joint data interpretation.

Central to the project is the recognition that different communities perceive and value heritage in varied ways. To capture this diversity, large-scale survey data will be collected to identify how individuals and groups understand the significance and meaning of heritage in their daily lives. The analysis will employ factor analysis to reveal the typological and hierarchical structure of these values, providing a nuanced picture of how heritage is socially constructed across different segments of the population. Through this process, the project will test and refine methodological approaches for integrating citizen perspectives into heritage research and management practices.

The findings will be synthesised into a scientific article, contributing new knowledge to the emerging field of socially perceived heritage values. To further support knowledge exchange and inform policymaking, a public roundtable will bring together heritage stakeholders to discuss the results and explore their implications for future heritage governance. Beyond its immediate outcomes, the project aspires to support the development of tools and models for inclusive heritage assessment that can be adopted across Slovenia and potentially adapted for broader international use.

Ultimately, this innovative initiative aims to strengthen the connection between community voices and decision-making processes in cultural heritage management. By doing so, it contributes to the broader ambitions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and aligns with the European Green Deal’s goals of fostering culturally informed, socially responsive, and environmentally responsible futures.

The project is carried out within the NextGenHS initiative, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Irena Kralj Cigić, with Lana Nastja Anžur coordinating and overseeing the implementation of project activities. By engaging communities directly in research, the project builds on NextGenHS’s commitment to developing participatory and interdisciplinary approaches in heritage science.