The European Heritage Hub is a pilot project that will bring together experts and resources to create a large cultural heritage movement. The project, which is funded by the European Union, will run for two years starting from Spring 2023. It aims to establish a self-governing platform for cultural heritage stakeholders to work towards a sustainable and innovative future for the sector.
A holistic approach
The call by the European commission described the main objective of ‘the action to support the establishment of a European Heritage Hub’ as:
- promote a joint action, by pooling cross-sectorial expertise and resources – both public and private – in the cultural heritage sector;
- promote a holistic and integrated approach to cultural heritage policies at all levels (at EU level and/or transnationally, national and regional levels) and contribute to its implementation, in line with the European Framework for Action published by the European Commission in 2018
Self-governing platform
The European Heritage Hub pilot project as proposed by the partnership will create a self-governing platform for cultural heritage stakeholders to work together towards a sustainable and innovative future for the field. It aims to foster collaboration between existing initiatives and create new ones as needed.
The partnership claims the Hub will be a leading advocate for integrated policies at all levels of governance and will provide support to heritage professionals and volunteers by equipping them with the necessary skills to adapt to the digital, environmental, and social transformations of society.
Creative campaigns
The project will connect the networks of all partners and engage them through creative campaigns to raise awareness. It aims to reach out to citizens and build capacity among heritage students and professionals, with a focus on involving younger generations.
The partnership
Europa Nostra will be the project’s lead partner. Key European partners (co-beneficiaries) of the project are:
- Europeana Foundation
- Eurocities
- KU Leuven – (via HERKUL – KU Leuven Institute for Cultural Heritage)
- ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
These four European partners have relevant Europe-wide expertise and experience working with the topics of the pilot-project – with a special focus on climate action, social inclusion and digital transformation.
Other strategic partners of the project include:
- The Society of Friends of Kraków History and Heritage (as operator/coordinator of the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub for Central and Eastern Europe);
- ELLINIKI ETAIRIA – Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage (as operator/coordinator of the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub for South Eastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean);
- Cinquantenaire 2030 (as a newly established organisation, which will contribute to the operation of the European Heritage Hub at the heart of EU-decision making in Brussels);
- Centro Nacional de Cultura (as country representation of Europa Nostra in Portugal, which stands ready to become the operator/coordinator of a future European Heritage Hub outpost in Lisbon);
- Hispania Nostra (as country representation of Europa Nostra in Spain, which will coordinate the youth-related activities of the European Heritage Hub); and
- European Music Centre (in its capacity as coordinator of the European Musician Museums and Houses Network, which will coordinate the music-related activities of the European Heritage Hub).
These partners will take responsibility for coordinating the activities of regional outposts of the European Heritage Hub or activities with a horizontal dimension, such as youth-related activities and music-related activities.
Several associated partners will support the strengthening or creation of new regional heritage hubs, namely the Organisation of World Heritage Cities (based in Canada), the City of Kraków (Poland), the City of Athens (Greece) and the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage (Portugal).
Other partners supporting the project are the European Students’ Association for Cultural Heritage (ESACH) and the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO).
Read Europa Nostra’s press release, the press release by Europeana and the call by the European Commission