Europe’s cultural heritage is a rich and diverse mosaic of cultural and creative expressions, an inheritance from previous generations of Europeans and a legacy for those to come. It includes natural, built and archaeological sites, museums, monuments, artworks, historic cities, literary, musical and audiovisual works, and the knowledge, practices and traditions of European citizens.
While policy in this area is primarily the responsibility of Member States, regional and local authorities, the EU is committed to safeguarding and enhancing Europe's cultural heritage through a number of policies and programmes.
Find detailed information about these policies and programmes in the following sections:
EU policy for cultural heritage
The EU is committed to safeguarding and enhancing Europe's cultural heritage.
Funding opportunities for cultural heritage
Several EU funding programmes support cultural heritage under the Multiannual Financial Framework.
Cultural heritage in other EU policies
The European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage proposes that cultural heritage should be addressed through many other EU policies beyond culture.
European Heritage Awards
The European Heritage Awards put a spotlight on remarkable projects, initiatives and personalities in the field of cultural heritage.
European Heritage Days
The European Heritage Days is among the most widely celebrated participatory cultural events in Europe.
European Heritage Label
EHL sites have been selected for their symbolic value, their role in European history and the activities they offer.
Main actors on cultural heritage
Cultural Heritage has a clear European dimension, which calls for joint action at European level.