EU publications

European framework for action on cultural heritage

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Cultural heritage is a common good passed from previous generations as a legacy for those to come. The European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 aimed at celebrating cultural heritage as a shared resource, raising awareness of common history and values, and reinforcing a sense of belonging to a common European cultural and political space. It created the momentum for cultural heritage to be placed higher on the EU’s agenda, through an integrated approach. At the Gothenburg Leaders’ Summit in November... 2017, Heads of States and Government confirmed their commitment to a Union which preserves its cultural heritage and promotes cultural diversity. The European Council in December 2017 highlighted the European Year of Cultural Heritage as a pivotal opportunity to increase awareness of the social and economic importance of culture and heritage. The European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage, announced in the new European Agenda for Culture, responds to the invitation of European Leaders and cultural stakeholders. It builds on the results of the European Year of Cultural Heritage and ensures its legacy by developing further concrete actions. The Framework for Action promotes and puts into practice an integrated and participatory approach to cultural heritage, and contributes to the mainstreaming of cultural heritage across EU policies. The European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee support this approach.

The European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage reflects the common set-up for heritage-related activities at European level, primarily in EU policies and programmes. It aims to capture and scale-up the success of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, which aimed at encouraging more people to discover and engage with Europe's cultural heritage, and to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space. The framework proposes around 60 actions be implemented by the European Commission in 2019 and 2020, which focus on five main thematic areas: (1) Cultural heritage for an inclusive Europe: participation and access for all (2) Cultural heritage for a sustainable Europe: smart solutions for a cohesive and sustainable future. (3) Cultural heritage for a resilient Europe: safeguarding endangered heritage (4) Cultural heritage for an innovative Europe: mobilising knowledge and research (5) Cultural heritage for stronger global partnerships: reinforcing international cooperation.