The HERE project aims to resolve the issues surrounding the reuse of valuable cultural heritage buildings, which remain vacant or underused in the 2 Seas area. Sustainably conserving these buildings, for the future, requires expertise and creativity and often a partnership approach with financial input from the private sector.Through the HERE project, participants are aiming to build expertise across the different stages of the regeneration of an historical building (planning, choice of materials...) and to develop a practical methodology.At the moment, England and Flanders apply different working methods in the regeneration of underused historic buildings. Thanks to a cross-border partnership, they will be able to create a standard transferrable methodology and begin the process of sharing best-practice between heritage organisations in the 2 Seas area through working groups and study visits. In addition, two pilot projects will be led in the Fort of Duffel (B) and St. Mary at the Quay (UK), improving accessibility, developing and diversifying tourism products and promoting heritage as economic driver. Expected Results: What are the key results of the project?The project will produce a methodology which will serve as a basis for advise towards heritage management and heritage members within the programme area and the whole EU.Workshops and site visits- Site visits of the 5 locations delivered- International working group site visits- Awareness raising eventsStakeholder involvement- Establishment of regeneration workgroup- Establishment of local advisory groups- info boards will inform the public on the history and regeneration process of the projectsPilot actions- regeneration and investment at 4 heritage sitesNew approaches/methodologies- a standard transferable methodology framework developed- recommendations for heritage-management within the programme area proposed- Business plans and appraisals for 3 sites of HERE project- Best practice case studies for 5 sitesAre all partners and territories benefitting from the results?The target group benefiting from the project consists of the actors from the international field of heritage involved in regeneration but also the overall management, particularly the local and regional politicians and the specialised government, the heritage sector and other specialists. The actors in the field of heritage will be thoroughly informed about future activities and the achieved results through intensive communication and publicity. As they will come in contact with the projects in their various stages of development through activities, events and targeted publicity, the local community and the users of the sites also belong to the target group.The final beneficiaries are all users of the sites (presently and in the long run), such as the local community, associations, organisations, tourists, culture lovers, school groups, residents, etc. They will eventually benefit from the successful regeneration of the project sites. Norfolk: The regeneration of St-Lawrence and St-Nicholas will be started up and eventually should enable the local community to use the buildings in a other manner than in the past.Suffolk: The conversion of the church of St-Mary at the Quay as a centre for wellbeing and good health will enable people to use the church again since it could no longer be visited before.Mechelen: The regeneration of the Ursuline convent in OLV-Waver will ensure the preservation of a unique monument which was only visible for internals in the past. The fort of Duffel will be a central, tourist key point in the second belt of forts around Antwerp.What are the effects / outcomes for the territories involved?England:In Norfolk the local community will be able to give input in the regeneration process and the options appraisal. After the project both churches will continue their regeneration process and the local community will be able to enjoy them again in a new manner.The project St Mary at the Quay in Suffolk contributes to Ipswich Borough Council's regeneration strategy. The plans complement their wider regeneration scheme on the Ipswich waterfront. The project of both partners is focused on the delivery of a wellbeing centre, supporting the government's recent response to Dame Carol Black's review of the health of Britain's working age population. Eventually people will be able to visit the interior of the church again and religious heritage will again be a part of their environment.Belgium:In OLV-Waver the Ursuline institute is renown for its school, but not many people know the beauty of the other parts of the convent. With this project, a first step towards further accesability of the site is taken and tourists, companies and other will be able to enjoy the magnificent wintergarden and the rest of the site.The fort of Duffel will be restored and made accesible to the public by means of a visitor centre. Kids will enjoy the tours in the dark caves and see the bats. Tourists will visit the small museum or take a walk in the nature surrounding the fort. The site is an outstanding example of nature and culture coming together, and visitors will be able to enjoy this in the future.