Policy Documents

Report of the First RICHES Policy Seminar

Report of the RICHES first policy seminar, ‘New Horizons for Cultural Heritage – Recalibrating relationships: bringing cultural heritage and people together in a changing Europe’, hosted in Brussels on 19 October 2015.

Namur Declaration. CH in the 21th century for living better together. Towards a common strategy for Europe.

On 24 April European ministers responsible for cultural heritage have adopted guidelines for a European heritage strategy at their 6th conference entitled “Cultural heritage in the 21st century for living better together. Towards a common strategy for Europe.” The conference was organised in Namur in the framework of the Belgian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Getting cultural heritage to work for Europe

The report, presenting the conclusions of the Expert Group established under the Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2014 for the Societal Challenge ‘Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials’, provides the rationale for setting a renewed European Research & Innovation policy agenda on cultural heritage.

Public Hearing. An integrated approach to cultural heritage in Europe: State of play and perspectives

The European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education held a public hearing on 2 December 2014 in Brussels. The hearing focused on the current state of play, the challenges faced and the steps to be taken in order to tap into the potential of cultural heritage for social progress and sustainable economic development.

Conclusions establishing a Work Plan for Culture (2015-2018)

Meeting in Brussels on 25 November EU Ministers of Culture agreed on a new Work Plan for Culture, setting out the priorities for European cooperation in cultural policy-making for the next four years. The Work Plan addresses key challenges faced by cultural organisations and small and medium sized enterprises in the creative sector at national and EU level in the context of globalisation and digitisation.

Council conclusions on participatory governance of cultural heritage

At its meeting in Brussels on 25 November 2014, the Council of the European Union, under the leadership of the Italian Presidency, adopted Conclusions on participatory governance of cultural heritage, inviting Member States to promote a more active involvement of civil society and of the private sector in the governance of cultural heritage, at local, regional, national and European levels.

Mapping of Cultural Heritage actions in European Union policies, programmes and activities

This mapping report aims to contribute to the development of a strategic approach to the preservation and promotion of European heritage. It provides a wide (but not exhaustive) range of information about EU policies, legislation, programmes and funding opportunities relevant to cultural heritage.

Conclusions on cultural heritage as a strategic resource for a sustainable Europe

For the first time ever, the Council of the European Union has adopted Conclusions on cultural heritage as a strategic resource for a sustainable Europe. Under the leadership of the Hellenic Presidency of the European Union, the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council adopted these historic conclusions at its meeting on 21 May in Brussels.