Vision Mission Strategic Goals
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This document presents Europa Nostra’s medium-term ambitions and priorities through a fouryear Strategy (2026―2030). It formulates the proposal for our vision, our mission and our strategic goals, which will guide the organisation’s work, and articulates its policy and societal impact at various levels, from local to global.
At the heart of this Strategy lies the need for consolidating and further strengthening Europa Nostra’s role as a leading advocate for heritage at European and international levels. Europa Nostra embraces a holistic concept of cultural heritage in its many different forms: tangible and intangible, urban and rural, public and private, cultural landscapes, water heritage, architectural heritage, archaeological heritage, industrial heritage, religious heritage, musical heritage, sound heritage as well as digital heritage.
Europa Nostra adheres to a broad definition of cultural heritage as formulated in the Faro Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society, which was adopted in 2005 under the auspices of the Council of Europe. This Convention defines cultural heritage as a group of resources inherited from the past which people identify, independently of ownership, as a reflection and expression of their constantly evolving values, beliefs, knowledge and traditions. It includes all aspects of the environment resulting from the interaction between people and places through time. According to this Convention, heri-
tage community consists of people who value specific aspects of cultural heritage which they wish, within the framework of public action, to sustain and transmit to future generations.
The Europa Nostra Strategy 2026―2030 reaffirms the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that the voice of civil society dedicated to the safeguarding, promotion, and transmission of cultural heritage is not only represented but heard and integrated in policy and decision-making processes, thereby contributing to a more inclusive, cohesive, and resilient society.
Together, the proposed interlinked goals provide a coherent framework to enhance the effectiveness and impact of Europa Nostra’s programmes, advocacy and policy work, partnerships, communication, governance, and financial accountability and sustainability, contributing to a Europe in which cultural heritage is fully valued as a public good, actively safeguarded, and widely supported within a vibrant and democratic society.
At a decisive moment for Europe, as the European Commission published the Culture Compass for Europe (2025) and is preparing the next EU long-term budget (2028―2034), known as the Multiannual Financial Framework, this Strategy is particularly timely in consolidating and further strengthening Europa Nostra’s leadership role within the pan-European heritage movement, which forms part of Europe’s wider cultural ecosystem and constituency.
The manifold profound changes in the world’s geopolitical order have forced the European countries to reconsider the continent’s overall position in the world, to step up joint action to affirm Europe’s strategic independence and to revisit its societal and civilisational model, based on the humanistic and rights-based values embedded in the Council of Europe’s and European Union’s founding treaties and related conventions/strategic documents. Faced with these rapid and often dramatic changes, and as the guardians of these core values, culture ― both cultural heritage and the arts ― have gained renewed relevance, having the capacity to bring Europe closer together and the ability to foster a sense of belonging and a shared identity among citizens and communities in Europe.
At a time when we need to rediscover and enhance the soul and the heart of the entire European project in order to boost the intellectual and emotional bond which citizens have with Europe, our shared cultural heritage ― united in its diversity ― has a very special role to play.
As one of the oldest and largest civil society organisations in Europe committed to cultural heritage, Europa Nostra has been at the forefront of many positive policy developments related directly or indirectly to cultural heritage, more recently with its direct involvement in the debate around climate change and its rapid call for mobilisation to protect endangered heritage
in zones of conflict, such as Ukraine. It is with equal commitment that Europa Nostra will face the new challenges affecting the continent and its neighbourhood, by contributing through its campaigns, its Awards and its intellectual input to defend and reaffirm the core values that are increasingly under attack, in particular democracy and the rule of law.
Our commitment draws its strength from the grassroots level action led by numerous civil society organisations (many of which are Europa Nostra’s members) to enhance and protect the multicultural and multireligious legacy of what the continent has produced at its best, from generation to generation, throughout the centuries. This is the reason why growing attention will be devoted to stimulate the initiatives developed at local and regional level, by supporting and amplifying the action of our members, country representations, partners and city hubs, and by enhancing the mobilisation and empowerment of Europe’s young generation.
Considering its reputation and long-standing experience, Europa Nostra has more than ever an active role to play in meeting the continent’s new challenges ― a responsibility that must be shared and carried out both by the organisation as a whole and by each of its members. The Europa Nostra Strategy 2026―2030 reflects these new challenges and renewed commitments.
As a European Voice of civil society organisations committed to cultural heritage across Europe, animator of the European Heritage Alliance, leader and coordinator of the European Heritage Hub, organiser of the European Heritage Awards and of the 7 Most Endangered Programme, and as a founding partner of the Culture Deal for Europe initiative, the mission of Europa Nostra is to:
Europa Nostra envisions a Europe strengthened by the unity in diversity of its cultural heritage and living environment: where the legacy of our shared history and culture serves as a living and cohesive force for fostering a sense of togetherness across borders; for connecting past, present and future generations and for championing Europe's foundational values of peace, democracy, the rule of law, sustainability and solidarity, for the benefit of all in Europe and beyond.
❶ advocate for the recognition of cultural heritage as a vital component of Europe’s cultural pillar due to its strategic importance for our identity, democracy, society, economy and living environment
❷ ensure the mainstreaming of heritage-related needs and skills across European and international policies, programmes and investments
❸ foster synergies and exchanges between its members and partners;
❹ celebrate excellence and share best principles and practices across borders;
❺ champion the culture of solidarity and campaign for the rescue of endangered heritage in Europe and beyond;
❻ mobilise and engage professionals and volunteers across generations, in cities and rural communities, as pro-active custodians of our shared legacy;
❼ build bridges with the wider world of culture, education, research and environment protection.
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recognising
cultural heritage as a vital resource for a better future for Europe, its citizens, communities and cities
mobilising and orchestrating stronger support for endangered heritage
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championing excellence and skills related to cultural heritage
unleashing the full potential of cultural heritage for Europe’s social cohesion, climate action, digital transformation and sustainable economic development page 16 page 18
empowering civil society committed to cultural heritage
fostering multilateral interaction for culture, with a special emphasis on cultural heritage, in Europe and globally
strategic goal
Europa Nostra will step up its advocacy work for cultural heritage to become a strategic priority within Europe’s institutional, policy, and financial frameworks. We will act as a bridge-builder and catalyst by aligning stakeholders, influencing policy developments, and mainstreaming heritage concerns and priorities across decision-making processes and financial mechanisms in Europe ― with a focus on the implementation of the EU’s Culture Compass for Europe and the ongoing negotiation on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, which includes a proposed AgoraEU programme covering Culture, Media and Civil Society/Values. We shall do this especially through the European Heritage Hub and the Europa Nostra Agora Projects, as our principal delivery vehicles.
Recognising cultural heritage as a vital resource for a better future for Europe its citizens, communities and cities
As the largest civil society federation for cultural heritage in Europe, we shall convene the heritage sector, build a strong evidence base that justifies public and private investment in culture, and ensure that heritage institutions and civil society have a proper seat at the table where European policies and budgets are decided. We shall do this also by fostering closer partnerships and synergies with key European advocacy organisations active in the wider fields of culture and creative industries (including the immensely rich web of festivals in Europe), education and environment, and by building necessary bridges with the world of academia and research.
❶ Influencing European policy and financial frameworks: Consolidate and further intensify structured dialogue with EU Institutions, Member States, local, regional and international bodies to ensure heritage is mainstreamed and fully integrated into major policy agendas (including climate action, social cohesion, sustainable tourism, competitiveness, urban and rural development, digital innovation and transformation, and external relations) and reflected in increased and dedicated funding allocations;
❷ Demonstrating impact through evidence: Collect and communicate evidence on the economic, social, environmental, and cultural value of heritage, informing policy making and reinforcing the case for sustained and increased public and private investment for heritage;
❸ Shaping strategic narratives:
Lead a coherent and proactive communication effort that positions cultural heritage as essential vehicle for Europe’s democracy, resilience, and identity, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for peace, unity, sustainability and solidarity, and as a vector of cultural citizenship and a better quality of life;
❹ Contributing to the next phase of the European Heritage Label Scheme: Contributing pro-actively and creatively to the next phase of this important scheme which links local experiences to a wider European story. This Scheme, run by the European Commission jointly with participating EU Member States, has been identified as one of the 20 flagship actions of the Culture Compass for Europe.
strategic goal
Europa Nostra will position heritage as an active driver of societal well-being, climate action, digital innovation, and economic prosperity and competitiveness. We will bring together members, partners, city hubs and other expert and civil society organisations in the heritage sector and related fields. We shall also connect with key European and international networks active
Unleashing the full potential of cultural heritage for Europe’s social cohesion, climate action, digital transformation and sustainable economic development
in the wider policy areas of democracy, culture, education, research, climate action, and digital innovation. To achieve this, Europa Nostra will stimulate knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration through its programmes, and especially through the European Heritage Hub Consortium and activities which are led by Europa Nostra.
❶ Advancing sustainability, circularity and effective climate action: Showcase heritage-led solutions that contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation, including sustainable and responsible practices of renovation and retrofitting of historic buildings, their adaptive reuse also to support strategies of affordable housing, as well as climateresilient spatial planning in urban and rural areas, in alignment with the New European Bauhaus principles, and advocate for those solutions across European and international policies;
❷ Demonstrating the immense value of cultural heritage for economic prosperity and competitiveness in Europe’s urban and rural areas, with a special focus on the key intersection between heritage preservation and social economy, the promotion of responsible cultural tourism, the need to improve the integrated management of historic cities, as well as the need to combat depopulation of countryside areas by instilling new life in abandoned villages especially through sustainable forms of tourism;
❸ Harvesting the benefits of digital innovation for cultural heritage: Endorse and amplify the work led by key partners, such as Europeana, focussing on digital transformation of the heritage sector by championing responsible forms of digitisation and AI, by shaping the Common European Data
Space for Cultural Heritage, so that digitisation, including AI, serves communities, and by promoting the use of emerging technologies including AI to enhance conservation, accessibility, and public engagement, while safeguarding cultural rights and authenticity;
❹ Championing democracy, the rule of law and cultural rights: Promote initiatives that use cultural heritage as a catalyst for democratic participation, citizens’ engagement, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, and inclusive community development across Europe which are indispensable for ensuring stronger social inclusion and cohesion, also involving minorities and migrants. Furthermore, express solidarity and provide support for heritage professionals and volunteers in countries where democracy, the rule of law and cultural rights are under attack.
strategic goal
Europa Nostra will support inclusive participation, intergenerational exchange, professional and volunteer engagement, and due involvement of local communities, among others, through the Europa Nostra Heritage Agora network project.
❶ Connecting and mobilising multi-level stakeholders: Give a renewed boost to exchanges and joint action with the pan-European network of members, country representations, city hubs and partners of Europa Nostra; as well as coordinate and further strengthen the European Heritage Alliance and the European Heritage Hub with its growing network of city hubs;
❷ Facilitating professional networking and knowledge exchange: Enable opportunities for professionals, organisations, and networks to connect, exchange expertise, and collaborate through summits, conferences, forums, webinars, residencies and peer-to-peer initiatives, reinforcing a shared culture of excellence;
❸ Advocating stronger recognition and support for civil society action and community-led initiatives that safeguard cultural heritage, and promoting inclusive social participation and participatory governance approaches by involving civil society and civic networks in decisionmaking and development processes related to cultural heritage;
❹ Youth engagement pathways: Support opportunities for young people and emerging professionals to participate in heritage work at all levels, fostering youth leadership and intergenerational exchange within networks and policy processes.
strategic goal
Europa Nostra will step up its advocacy for the protection, emergency response, recovery, and long-term safeguarding of heritage endangered by conflict, natural disasters, attacks on democracy and the rule of law, or lack of funding, recognising heritage as a key pillar of identity,
resilience, recovery and peacebuilding, notably through Europa Nostra’s flagship initiative ― the 7 Most Endangered Programme run with the support of the EIB Institute.
❶ Showcasing multiple threats to heritage: through its extensive network of members and partners, Europa Nostra will continue to raise awareness about various types of threats (caused by natural and human-induced hazards) which heritage faces across Europe and beyond, and will ring the alarm bell at all levels of governance in response to these threats;
❷ Identifying endangered heritage sites across Europe: mainly through its 7 Most Endangered Programme, Europa Nostra will continue to encourage nominations of endangered heritage sites and select those which have European significance, face imminent threats and require European support and solidarity;
❸ Acting as a catalyst for finding lasting solutions to save endangered heritage: in close collaboration with local actors/activists, organise expert missions to selected endangered sites with the view of finding lasting solutions and necessary political and/or financial support for the rescue of those sites; also provide European endorsement/ advice to campaigns led at local or national level to save endangered heritage;
❹ Special focus ― Ukraine: due to the ongoing Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine with related massive damage to cultural heritage sites, Europa Nostra will continue to provide a civil society contribution to the European and international efforts in support of the rescue and recovery of these cultural heritage sites (e.g. through membership in the Board of Directors of the Ukraine Cultural Heritage Fund, and through its various programme, ranging from the European Heritage Hub to the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards).
strategic goal
Europa Nostra will continue to be a forceful champion of heritage-related excellence by promoting skills development, knowledge exchange, capacity-building, and showcasing best practice, especially through our European Heritage Awards.
❶ Strengthening awards and recognition programmes: Expand and reinforce Europa Nostra’s flagship awards and recognition schemes, highlighting exemplary creative and innovative projects in the fields of conservation and adaptive reuse, research, education and training, citizens engagement and raising awareness, and further enhancing their role in setting European reference standards for excellence;
❷ Showcasing best practices: Develop and consolidate communication platforms and publications that disseminate exemplary heritage practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches in heritage management to European and international audiences, strengthening visibility and transferability;
❸ Promoting high-quality principles and standards: Leverage awards, case studies, and strategic communications to encourage high-quality heritage practices, foster creativity, and support the development and dissemination of benchmarks for sustainable and innovative heritage policies and interventions;
❹ Skills and capacity building: Contribute to broader policy agendas related to recognition, capacity building, and training related to a wider range of heritage skills, highlighting their contribution to creativity, innovation, employment, and societal resilience.
strategic goal
Fostering multilateral interaction for culture, with a special emphasis on cultural heritage, in Europe and globally
Europa Nostra will act as connector and facilitator of dialogue, reinforcing European cooperation frameworks across Europe and with global partners. By doing so, it will contribute to linking
Europe with the wider world through multilateral cooperation, international networks, and cultural diplomacy, especially through initiatives developed within the European Heritage Hub.
❶ Heritage for Peace:
Promote the vital role of cultural heritage ― tangible and intangible ― for identity, healing and recovery of communities affected by armed conflicts (past, present and future);
❷ EU Enlargement Agenda:
Elevate cultural heritage among strategic priorities with related resources within the framework of the EU Enlargement Agenda;
❹ Global pool of knowledge:
Contribute to the global exchange of heritage expertise and practices to support coordinated responses in defence of multilateralism, multiculturalism, sustainability and solidarity;
❺ mondiacult & Agenda 2030: Contribute to a global coalition in support of culture as a public good and in support of the necessary addition of a stand-alone SDG on Culture as part of the review of Agenda 2030;
❸ Mare Nostrum: Champion cultural heritage as a key resource for promoting a stronger bridge, collaboration and understanding between Europe and the Middle East and North of Africa region, especially within the framework of EU’s Pact for the Mediterranean;
❻ Strategic partnerships: Position Europa Nostra as a transnational and multilateral actor strengthening cooperation across Europe and contributing to heritage related policy and practice developed globally, especially within the framework of UNESCO and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and through intergovernmental organisations (such as ICCROM or Anna Lindh Foundation), international non-governmental organisations (such as ICOMOS and ICOM), or international foundations (such as ALIPH or World Monuments Fund).
❶ The Europa Nostra Strategy 2026―2030 will be accompanied by an Action plan which will, among others, allow to track progress on the implementation of the strategic goals, and to serve as a basis for a 2028 mid-term evaluation leading to any necessary adaptation of the Strategy.
❷ This Strategy will be implemented by Europa Nostra’s governing bodies and Secretariat, working hand in hand with its vast number of members and associates, which form a powerful and influential pan-European movement of civil society committed to cultural heritage at local, regional, national and European levels.
❸ Special contributions will be made by the growing network of Europa Nostra’s country representations and/or City Hubs and also by our award laureates. At European level, Europa Nostra will join voices and forces with members of the European Heritage Alliance and with all partners of the European Heritage Hub. Finally, Europa Nostra will further invest in a wider European Coalition for Culture, in continuity of the Cultural Deal for Europe initiative.
❹ It is important to stress that the implementation of such an ambitious Strategy is only possible thanks to the generous and highly competent input of a large number of volunteers who contribute to our various programmes, governing and advisory bodies and working groups.
❺ The implementation of this Strategy will be accompanied by an ambitious Communications plan.
❻ An effective and efficient implementation of our Strategy also requires a robust governance framework. Therefore, wherever necessary, our internal organisational procedures will be further improved.
❼ Last but not least, the quality and quantity of implementation activities will necessarily depend on the level of additional financial resources which Europa Nostra will be able to raise both from public and private partners and supporters.
Editor
Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović
Secretary General
Editorial Assistance
Vanessa Fraga Prol
Advocacy and Partnerships Manager
Barbara Zander
General Manager
Joana Pinheiro
Communications Advisor
Graphic Design
Krzysztof Radoszek Radoszek Arts
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