Europa Nostra is the European Voice of Civil Society committed to Cultural Heritage
This deposit is composed of 3 sections.
The first one is an archive of 18 years of publications of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards. The awards were launched by the European Commission in 2002 and have been run in partnership with Europa Nostra ever since. The Awards are supported by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union. Countries associated with the Creative Europe programme receive the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards.
The Awards celebrate and promote the highest standards in heritage interventions, research, and education, training and awareness-raising, as well the longstanding dedication of professionals and volunteers. The achievements recognised throughout the lifespan of the Awards scheme are a testament to the dynamic and vibrant heritage of Europe and of the dedication with which it is celebrated and cared for across the continent.
The second section refers to the 7 Most Endangered Programme run by Europa Nostra in partnership with the European Investment Bank Institute. It is supported by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, through the network project Europa Nostra Heritage Agora.
Since its launch in 2013, the 7 Most Endangered Programme has become a key civil society initiative dedicated to saving Europe’s heritage at risk. It acts as a catalyst for mobilising expertise, halting unsuitable or unsustainable development, and/or ensuring necessary public and private support, including funding. Each selected site is eligible for an EIB Heritage Grant of €10,000 to assist in implementing an agreed activity that will contribute to the site’s preservation.
To mark the 10th anniversary of this innovative programme, the EIB released the publication ‘Saving the Past – Shaping the Future’, which highlights the success stories and the importance of partnerships and community engagement.
Moreover another publication centered around the 7 Most Endangered, titled “Togetherness – A New Heritage Deal for Europe”, is a visionary essay written by Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra.
The third section contains documents related to the policy work of Europa Nostra at European level. From the Berlin Call to Action, Cultural Heritage for the future of Europe released in 2018 for the European Year of Cultural Heritage to various manifestos calling for Europe’s cultural and natural heritage to stand at the very heart of European strategies, budgets, and policies.
They include the Venice Manifesto for a European Cultural Citizenship published in 2023, the Bucharest Manifesto for quality-driven cultural heritage practice in Europe from 2024 and the Brussels Manifesto for Heritage Matters for Europe, Europe Matters for Heritage from 2025.
These were released on the occasion of the yearly European Cultural Heritage Summit organised by Europa Nostra in various European cities.
