Written by Anne Vernet and Jonathan Gunson
The European Commission defines cultural heritage as including “natural, built and archaeological sites; museums; monuments, artworks; historic cities; literary, musical, and audiovisual works, and the knowledge, practices and traditions of European citizens”.
Whilst the Member States are principally responsible for their own cultural heritage policy, European cultural heritage benefits from a range of supportive measures (policies, programmes and funding) aimed at preserving (art. 3 TEU) and promoting it (art 167 TFEU).
European cultural heritage is of exceptional economic importance for the tourism industry, generating an estimated annual revenue of EUR 335 billion, and many of the 9 million jobs in the tourism sector are linked to it directly or indirectly. The EU funded project Cultural Heritage Counts for Europe aims to raise greater awareness on the social, economic, cultural as well as environmental impact of cultural heritage and the multiple benefits of investing in it.
In 2007-13, €3.2 billion was invested in heritage from the European Regional Development Fund; a further €1.2 billion on rural heritage from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and around €100 million worth of heritage research was funded from the 7th Framework Programme. Funding for 2014-2020 will be available to support conservation, digitisation, infrastructure, research and skills.
In July 2014 the European Commission published Towards an integrated approach to cultural heritage for Europe, a communication aiming to help Member States and stakeholders to make the most of the significant support for heritage available under EU instruments, progress towards a more integrated approach at national and EU level.
On 2 December 2014 the EP Commission for Culture and Education held a public hearing on “An integrated approach to cultural heritage in Europe: State of play and perspectives” (presentations will be available here; see also Europa Nostra’s summary of the hearing). MEP Mircea Diaconu is drafting a report on the subject (procedure file: 2014/2149(INI)).
Related EPRS products:
- Keysource Europe’s cultural heritage online (March 2014)
- Briefing Le Label du patrimoine européen (November 2011)
Overviews
Responsibility for policies and funding for Cultural heritage is shared between the European Commission’s directorates general for Culture & Education, Research and Regional policy:
- Supporting cultural heritage/ DG Education and Culture.
- Cultural heritage and Digital cultural heritage/ DG Research; Digital Culture/ Digital Agenda for Europe. The EU research programme supports research and innovation based solutions aiming to improve the preservation of cultural heritage (EU research: cultural heritage, 2013)
- Culture in Regional policy/ DG Regional Policy . Cohesion policy 2007-2013- Culture: factsheet (May 2010). Structural funds have been used for cultural heritage projects, for an example in Italy: Saving Pompeii with EU Regional Funds: Commissioner Hahn signs Action Plan with Italy to preserve ‘jewel of European cultural heritage’ Rapid Press Release (17 July 2014).
There are three EU actions specifically dedicated to cultural heritage:
- the European Heritage Days, a joint initiative with the Council of Europe, provides access to thousands of rarely opened sites and unique events to over 20 million people every year; the cultural events highlight local skills and traditions, architecture and works of art;
- the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage, or the Europa Nostra Awards, highlight some Europe’s best achievements in heritage care;
- the European Heritage Label selects sites for their symbolic value, the role they have played in the European history and the activities they offer in order to bring the European Union and its citizens closer together. The first sites to receive the Label were designated in 2013 (see also FAQ).
Analysis
The EU’S Explicit and Implicit Heritage Politics/ by Tuuli Lähdesmäki. European Societies 16: 3, pp 401-421, March 2014.
During the past couple of decades, heritage has become topical in a new way in Europe as the concept has been utilized for political purposes in the EU cultural policy. The EU currently administrates or supports three initiatives – the European Heritage Days, the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage, and the European Heritage Label – that address the fostering of the transnational European cultural heritage. The article discusses the explicit and implicit heritage politics included in these initiatives.
Challenges and Priorities for Cultural Heritage in Europe: Results of an Expert Consultation/ European Expert Network On Culture (EENC), September 2013.
This document summarises the main challenges to cultural heritage in Europe identified by nine experts working in a variety of institutional contexts (for public institutions, private consultants, academics, etc.) and presents the main areas of potential involvement for the EU identified in the consultation.
The Social and Economic Value of Cultural Heritage: literature review/ Cornelia Dümcke and Mikhail Gnedovsky, European Expert Network On Culture (EENC), July 2013.
This bibliography aims to describe and analyse academic literature and research reports made over the preceding five years within the EU and addressing the social and economic value of cultural heritage.
Study on the impact of the EU Prizes for culture/ ECORYS for the European Commission, March 2013.
The study found that all of the Prizes are serving to encourage the protection and promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity in the EU to some degree; mainly through showcasing high-quality examples and providing a platform for developing a shared vision of the relevant sectors’ roles. Evidence suggests the Prize for Cultural Heritage enjoys a high level of visibility and awareness in the sector and is considered to be the top European prize for cultural heritage.
EU Institutions
European Commission
Towards an integrated approach to cultural heritage for Europe (July 2014)
The Communication recognises that the contribution of cultural heritage to economic growth and social cohesion is undervalued and examines how the societal value of the sector is addressed in current actions and funding programmes. It highlights the opportunities for Member States and stakeholders to work more closely across borders and with the Commission to address the many challenges facing the heritage sector, and also to ensure that cultural heritage makes an even stronger contribution to a sustainable Europe.
Cultural heritage to gain from stronger European support/ Rapid press release, 22 July 2014
Mapping of Cultural Heritage actions in European Union policies, programmes and activities/ European Commission, July 2014.
This mapping report provides a wide (but not exhaustive) range of information about EU policies, legislation, programmes and funding opportunities relevant to cultural heritage.
Why cultural heritage needs to move with the times/ Commissioner Vassiliou’s speech at the EU Presidency Conference on Heritage Commons, 23 September 2014.
Cultural heritage research: Survey and outcomes of projects within the environment theme: from 5th to 7th Framework programme/ DG Research (2012)
This study represents a synthesis of all cultural heritage research projects funded within the Environment Theme, up to 2012, through the EU’s Framework Programmes (FPs) FP5, FP6 and FP7. It emerges from this analysis that the networking within and between project consortia has contributed to improving the knowledge needed for preserving cultural heritage and has created a European research community in the field of cultural heritage preservation.
Survey and outcomes of cultural heritage research projects supported in the context of EU environmental research programmes: From 5th to 7th Framework Programme/ DG Research (2011)
This study represents a first attempt to synthesise the vast amount of information resulting from the cultural heritage research projects supported under FP5, FP6 and FP7. The study examines the outcomes and the global impact of these projects.
Preserving our heritage, improving our environment – 20 years of EU research into cultural heritage/ DG Research, 2009. 2 volumes: Volume I – Overview | Volume II – Project Synopses.
This publication highlights 20 years of European Commission–supported research in the field of tangible cultural heritage: the first volume provides the reader with an overview of the EU’s commitment to cooperation in this field and how it has developed over the years. The second volume compiles nearly 100 projects implemented since 2000.
Joint Programming Initiative in Cultural Heritage and Global Change (JPI CH)
Joint programming is a concept introduced by the European Commission in July 2008 and is one of five initiatives aimed at implementing the European Research Area (ERA). The concept intends to tackle the challenges that cannot be solved solely on the national level and allows Member States and Associated Countries to participate in those joint initiatives where it seems useful for them. JPICH aims at developing a joint approach to the preservation and sustainable management of Europe’s cultural heritage between EU countries by designing a common strategic research agenda and to share best practice (Citizens’ Summary: EU countries join their research programmes on cultural heritage, 2010).
European Parliament
Resolutions
- Resolution of 16 January 2001 on the application of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in the Member States of the European Union,
- Resolution of 12 February 1993 on preserving the architectural heritage and protecting cultural assets, OJ C 72, 15.3.1993, p. 160.
- Resolution of 28 October 1988 on the conservation of the Community’s architectural and archaeological heritage, OJ C 309, 5.12.1988, p. 423.
- Resolution of 14 September 1982 on the protection of the European architectural and archaeological heritage, OJ C 267, 11.10.1982, p. 25.
- Resolution of 13 May 1974 on the protection of the European cultural heritage, OJ C 62, 30.5.1974, p. 5
Parliamentary Questions
- EU support for the conservation of cultural heritage E-001414/2014 April 2014
- Preservation of Europe’s artistic and cultural heritage E-013174/2013 November 2013
- Preserving Europe’s cultural heritage E-012254/2013 March 2013
- European cultural heritage-role in the future Horizon 2020 programme E-003785/2012 April 2012
- Horizon 2020 — Cultural heritage E-002343/2012 February 2012
Council
Council Conclusions of 25 November 2014 on participatory governance of cultural heritage (soon to be published, draft here). The Council invites Member States to promote a more active involvement of civil society and of the private sector in policy making.
Council conclusions of 21 May 2014 on cultural heritage as a strategic resource for a sustainable Europe. The conclusions emphasize the important role that cultural heritage plays in creating and enhancing social capital, as well as its important economic impact and its specific role in achieving the Europe 2020 strategy goals for a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth because of its social and economic impact and its key contribution to environmental sustainability.
Council conclusions of 10 May 2010 on the contribution of culture to local and regional development
Council Presidencies of the European Union
Italian Presidency (2014) – TechItaly2014 – “The future of cultural heritage in smart cities”, Conference, 25 November 2014, Brussels, Belgium
Italian Presidency (2014) Measuring impacts of cultural heritage valorisation. Tools for evidence based policies Rome, Terme di Diocleziano – October 13 – 14, 2014
Italian Presidency (2014) – Heritage Commons: Towards a participative heritage governance in the third millennium, 23-24 September 2014, Turin, Italy
Greek Presidency (2014) – “Heritage First! Towards a common approach for a sustainable Europe”, Conference proceedings, 6-8 March 2014, Athens, Greece
Lithuanian Presidency (2013) – Cultural Heritage And The EU-2020 Strategy – Towards An Integrated Approach, Conference, November 13-14 November 2013, Vilnius, Lithuania. See also final statement and good practice cases.
Belgian Presidency (2010) – Cultural heritage: A resource for Europe. The benefits of interaction, Conference proceedings, 9 December 2010, Bruges, Belgium
Committee of the Regions
Draft opinion “Towards an integrated approach to cultural heritage for Europe”/ Commission for Education, Youth, Culture and Research, November 2014.
The rapporteur György Gémesi welcomed the emphasis placed on the importance of cultural heritage, not only as a factor in economic development and social integration, but also as a cornerstone of local, regional, national and European identity. While commending the fact that more resources are being made available to cultural and creative sectors under the EU’s new structural funds and dedicated framework programmes, he recommended maximum synergy between them so as to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in implementing local and regional strategies for creative and innovative goals.
International organisations
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe takes Europe-wide action to help states set up systems to protect, manage and develop their cultural assets. A number of basic texts reflect the Council of Europe’s work in the area of cultural heritage:
- Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society (Faro, 2005).
- European Convention for the Protection of the Audiovisual Heritage (Strasbourg, 2001)
- European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Valletta, 1992)
- Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage (Granada, 1985)
- European Cultural Convention (Paris, 1954)
See also: reference texts and CoE publications relating to cultural heritage. CoE maintains HEREIN: Observatory on policies and values of the European Heritage, a tool to collect data and information related to financing mechanisms, legislations, documentation systems, integrated conservation strategies and awareness-raising actions among others.
PACE
Europe’s endangered heritage, Report, Parliamentary Assembly, Council of Europe, February 2014. Resolution 1981 and Recommendation 2038, March 2014.
ICOMOS
ICOMOS works for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places. It is the only global non-government organisation of this kind, which is dedicated to promoting the application of theory, methodology, and scientific techniques to the conservation of the architectural and archaeological heritage. Its work is based on the principles enshrined in the 1964 International Charter on the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites (the Venice Charter).
ICOMOS’ Open Archive provides free access to thousands of publications on the subject of cultural heritage.
UNESCO
World Heritage Centre portal.
UNESCO seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage , adopted by UNESCO in 1972.
Stakeholders
ICCOMOS has compiled a short non exhaustive overview of cultural heritage organisations in Europe (last update: 15/10/2013).
Europa Nostra
Europa Nostra is a pan-European network which works towards the safeguarding of the cultural and natural heritage of Europe.
Why Cultural Heritage Matters for Europe? (2009)
In this position paper Europa Nostra calls for European Action and the development of a European policy for Cultural Heritage.
Just adopted: EC Communication “Towards an integrated approach to cultural heritage for Europe” July 2014.
“Europa Nostra congratulates, also on behalf of other members of the European Heritage Alliance 3.3, Mrs Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, and the DG Education and Culture, for this new major step forward in developing a comprehensive EU strategy for the protection and enhancement of Europe’s shared cultural heritage.”
European Heritage Alliance 3.3
The European Heritage Alliance 3.3, an informal European sectoral platform composed of 30 European or international networks and organisations active in the wider field of cultural heritage, was launched in June 2011. The Alliance founding members bring together Europe’s civil society organisations, historic cities and villages, museums, heritage professionals and volunteers, (private) owners of collections of artefacts, historic buildings and cultural landscapes, educators, town planners, etc. Europa Nostra is acting as facilitator of the alliance.
NEMO – Network of European Museum Organisations
Rethinking museum value in times of crisis: a European perspective/ Sofia Tsilidou (October 2014)
This paper discusses how European museums redefine their public value in response to societal challenges facing Europe today; how the public value of museums, as part of cultural heritage, is addressed in recent policy initiatives and developments in the EU; what is the role of NEMO, the Network of European Museum Organisations as a link between the European museum community and the EU and as an advocacy network striving to influence European policies.
NEMO Statement on the Public Consultation on the EU 2020 Strategy (May 2014)
“The reviewed and updated EU 2020 Strategy should recognize that Europe is first of all a cultural and political project, which implies a different approach, not only based on economic resources, but rather on the creation of social and cultural capital. This should be reflected through the mainstreaming of culture to all policy sectors and the adequate allocation of resources to support the European project.”
URBACT
URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme promoting sustainable urban development. The network gathers 181 cities, 29 countries, and 5,000 active participants.
The untapped potential of cultural heritage: a catalyst for sustainable urban development and an internationally competitive Europe (2011)
As part of the HerO – Heritage as Opportunity project, this paper makes the case for a strong urban dimension as part of EU Cohesion Policy with a special focus on cultural heritage and historic urban landscapes. It calls for support for and investment in integrated and sustainable urban development to ensure Europe’s historic towns and cities are attractive places to live, work and invest in, fully able to respond to the global challenges of the 21st century and beyond.
EU projects
Cultural Heritage counts for Europe: Towards a European Index for Cultural Heritage
The project will gather, analyse, consolidate and widely disseminate the existing data on the impact of cultural heritage – i.e. the impact on the social, economic, cultural as well as environmental. It will result in a European mapping of both qualitative and quantitative evidence-based research carried out at the European, national, regional, local and/or sectorial levels.
CHARISMA: Cultural Heritage Advanced Research Infrastructures
The FP7 funded project was dedicated to the conservation of the European cultural heritage. The project team brought together experts from a range of disciplines, including prestigious European museums, universities and research institutes, who shared information about conservation techniques and collaborated to develop new ones.
The access to the new tools developed by the research team allows conservators and restorers to identify the materials and methods used by the original artist, while the application of modern techniques and advanced tests ensure that the restoration work respects the principles of durability and compatibility.
The project website offers free access to most advanced EU scientific instrumentations and knowledge, allowing scientists, conservators-restorers and curators to enhance their research.
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