Are you ready to protect your community's heritage and build a climate resilient future? 

Preserving Legacies is thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Climate Heritage Cohort Program—a three-year journey for community stewards to safeguard their heritage places and practices against the impacts of climate change. 

The deadline to apply is January 5, 2026 and only ten heritage places or practices will be selected, so get your application in now! Apply here →

Why Apply?

This is not your typical program. It’s an extended family of local leaders working together to safeguard what matters most to their communities. By preserving heritage in the face of climate change, we’re building resilient communities ready to meet the challenges ahead. All that we do is rooted in our values of being community-led, values-driven, science-informed, and open access. If this resonates with you, we welcome you to apply now!

What You'll Experience

📚 Year 1: Learn

Begin your journey with a free 12-month training program to master climate science, risk assessment, and adaptation strategies—all through a plural knowledge approach that weaves together scientific, Indigenous, and local knowledge. You’ll learn through online modules, virtual discussions, mentorship, and a fully funded international workshop that brings participants together for hands-on learning and exchange.

🤝 Year 2: Assess

Put your learning into practice by leading a climate risk assessment for your community. With access to expert support, downscaled climate data, and funding, you’ll identify what your community values most about their heritage, visualize current and projected climate hazards, and evaluate which are most at risk to those hazards.

🛠️ Year 3: Act

Use your assessment as a foundation to design and implement an adaptation action tailored to your community’s needs and culture. You’ll receive a seed grant, targeted training, and access to partner networks to help you bring your vision to life.

📣 Throughout the program, you’ll receive storytelling support to help share your heritage adaptation journey and inspire others. And when you complete the program, you’ll become a leader of our global community of action—a network of peers, mentors, and partners continuing to build climate resilience through heritage around the world.

Learn more about the program here.

How to Apply

✍️ Fill out the application form here by January 5, 2026. ‍

✔️ View our selection criteria here.

You will hear from our team about the status of your application in February.

If you are selected, the program begins virtually March 1, 2026.

If you are not selected, you will be offered the opportunity to join our forthcoming global community of action, launching later in 2026.

For any questions, please email the Preserving Legacies Director, Victoria Herrmann at victoria.herrmann@heritageadapts.org.