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Culture and Creativity

Risk management for cultural heritage

Several instruments and programmes for prevention and emergency response are in place at the EU level. Several Directorates-General of the European Commission are involved in the management of such instruments. Below you will find a list of the main mechanisms.

EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM)

The protection ensured under this mechanism primarily covers people, but also includes the environment and property, among which cultural heritage. As one example, after the earthquakes that hit Mexico in 2017, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism deployed a team composed of 6 cultural heritage experts to Mexico The team performed 33 field visits to assess the nature and magnitude of the damage of the affected cultural heritage, identified emergency actions and restoration strategies.

To activate the protection, the country where the emergency occurs must send a request for assistance to the Emergency Response Coordination Centre.

Find out more about the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Copernicus

The Copernicus Services, especially the Emergency Management Service, help EU Member States (and other authorised countries) manage the impact of geo-hazards, both natural and non-natural. Copernicus also assists countries in extreme meteorological events for non-populated areas. The service can supply detailed maps based on satellite data and geographical information for emergencies.

Find out more about what the Copernicus Service action offers in support to cultural heritage.

Selected projects

STORM project

Funded under Horizon 2020, this project provides critical decision-making tools to European Cultural Heritage stakeholders who face climate change and natural hazards.

Find out more about the STORM project.

Hyperion project

Funded under Horizon 2020, this project makes use of existing tools, services and novel technologies to deliver an integrated resilience assessment platform addressing multi-hazard risk. The project goal is to offer a faster, adapted and efficient response, and the sustainable reconstruction of historic areas.

Find out more about the Hyperion project.

ProCultHer project

Co-funded by the Prevention and Preparedness Call (2019-2021), this project contributes to the development of technical Standard Operating Procedures to facilitate deployment of experts for the safeguard of cultural heritage in emergency.

Find out more about the ProCultHer project.