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The French non-profit making organisation, CHAM,
was created in 1980. Its aim is to protect some of the many historical
buildings suffering from neglect and which are in great need of conservation
work.
It organises long-term and seasonal heritage conservation volunteer
projects and youth and heritage training sessions in France
(both metropolitan and overseas territories), as well as onbroad. The
organisation is officially recognised by the three French ministries responsible
for youth, education and culture.
Over the twenty years of its existence CHAM has contributed to
the restoration of more than fifty French historical sites
– castles and forts, churches and abbeys, towers, ancient streets etc.
These monuments are mainly 12th to 16th century,
though some are from later periods. Most are listed French Historic Monuments
and all are open to the public. CHAM operates on these sites at
the request of those public authorities which own them. Each project is
approved by the relevant state bodies dealing with heritage and youth.
The organisation has won prizes from the French National Heritage Commission
for volunteer conservation projects on twelve of these sites. |
