Cultural resources of civil society – the role of the nonprofit sector in the management of historical sites. Evidence from Hungary

Abstract

The aim of the study is to present and analyze the role of a non-profit organization in the cultural and tourism operation of historical sites, buildings, and attractions. The main research question is whether the examined nonprofit organization is suitable for promoting a historical memorial site and cultural heritage. Another research question is whether a non-profit organization can implement projects that result in the renovation of a historical military site, the increase of state property, and the creation of a tourism attraction that generates value and provides a high-quality community-cultural experience thru a unique monument. The research method is a case study, analyzing a good example from a city in Hungary, providing a compre hensive overview of the public service tasks performed by a public benefit company, examining its economic role, size, structure, and finances. The legal regulations of public service and public education agreements will be presented, along with their practical applicability. The study addresses the role of the revenue and expenditure structure, its target market, marketing, the company’s organizational structure, and its structural type. The study examines the contribution of civil non-profit organiza tions’ projects to non-formal education, interpreting cultural and local traditions for contemporary people, providing a value-creating, high-quality community experi ence. This includes preserving cultural heritage and values that are part of the local identity, strengthening the city’s tourism position, and broadening and deepening cooperation between the public, business, and civil sectors, thereby strengthening the local economy. Based on the results, it can be assumed that the nonprofit sector encompasses a wide range of organizations, whose common denominator is institutionalization. The study examines a single case, but the research proves its hypothesis that the non-profit sector is developing dynamically, in accordance with socio-economic needs, depending on local cultural, historical, political, and economic conditions, supporting settlements and enhancing their image. The examined civ il-nonprofit sector represents an important social and economic force in the given settlement, showcasing its culture, traditions, and political history as a global force thru human services. The novelty of the topic lies in the fact that the case study can open up new dimensions in the development of historical site management, and its applicability can primarily provide guidance for the development of cultural resources in domestic and international cities