UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UNESCO is the world's most famous organisation dealing with cultural heritage. The definition of it gave to cultural heritage dates from its 1972 Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage (the World Heritage Convention), covering architectural works, sculptures, paintings, archaeological structures and inscriptions, cave dwellings, groups of buildings and sites comprised of the works of humans, or of humans and nature, of outstanding universal artistic, historic, scientific, anthropological, ethnological or aesthetic value (Article 1). Besides cultural heritage, this convention also covers natural heritage, including physical and biological formations of outstanding universal value from the aesthetic or scientific point of view, 'geological and physiographical formations and precisely delineated areas which constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation' and natural sites or 'precisely delineated natural areas of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty' (Article 2).

Data source: UNESCO world cultural heritage sites. Compiled by Luca Ballico; graphics by Giulio Sabbati, EPRS, 2026.

After adopting the 1972 Convention, UNESCO drew up the World Heritage List including outstanding heritage in need of protection. The EU hosts 35 % of these sites (437).

In its 1980 Recommendation for the safeguarding and preservation of moving images, UNESCO also recognised audiovisual heritage as part of cultural heritage, as it represents the expression of the cultural identity of peoples. UNESCO's 2001 Convention on Underwater Heritage focused on the protection of sites that bear 'traces of human existence having a cultural, historical or archaeological character which have been partially or totally under water, periodically or continuously, for at least 100 years'.

UNESCO's 2003 Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage added a new aspect pertaining to human traditions and ways of living. Intangible cultural heritage refers to 'practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith' that communities, groups and individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage. Therefore, its recognition and definition rests with the communities, groups and individuals that create, maintain and transmit that heritage. Intangible cultural heritage includes oral traditions, performing arts, crafts and rituals.

UNESCO also recognises the threat that armed conflicts pose to cultural heritage. To address this risk, the 1954 Hague Convention for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict and its two protocols establish an international legal framework for the protection of cultural property during armed conflict. Additionally, the 2003 UNESCO Charter on the Preservation of Digital Heritage recognises digital heritage as an important resource for preserving human knowledge and cultural expression across time.

Cultural heritage could therefore be classified into the following categories:

Council of Europe

The Council of Europe (CoE), with its 47 European member countries, focuses its action on human rights and the rule of law and democracy, with the latter including culture and cultural heritage as elements of democratic governance. In addition to the global standards set by UNESCO, the Council of Europe, at its 2005 Faro Framework Convention on the value of cultural heritage for society, defined 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' (Article 2). The convention also highlights the social and economic benefits of preserving cultural heritage as a prerequisite for sustainable development. It broadly defines the common European heritage as covering all forms of cultural heritage, viewing them as a shared source of remembrance, understanding and identity. Furthermore, it emphasises the contribution of this heritage to creativity, social cohesion and ideals, principles and values derived from past conflicts and efforts toward progress. Finally, the convention underscores the link between cultural heritage and the development of a peaceful and stable society, founded on respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy.

European Union

Cultural heritage has been a fundamental element of European integration and development. Europe's rich cultural heritage reflects centuries of interaction among diverse languages, architectural currents, traditions, practices and shared values, which together have shaped its identity. On the European Commission's site dedicated to cultural heritage, the latter is presented as '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'. On the site dedicated to the EU policy for cultural heritage, the latter is presented as 'a shared source of remembrance, understanding, identity, dialogue, cohesion and creativity. It encompasses a broad spectrum of resources inherited from the past in all forms and aspects, which can be:

This is rather close to the definition found in the Decision of the European Parliament and the Council of 17 May 2021 on a European Year of Cultural Heritage (2018) which mentions the Council conclusions of 21 May 2014, where cultural heritage is described as 'consist[ing] of the resources inherited from the past in all forms and aspects tangible, intangible and digital (born digital and digitized), including monuments, sites, landscapes, skills, practices, knowledge and expressions of human creativity, as well as collections conserved and managed by public and private bodies such as museums, libraries and archives. It originates from the interaction between people and places through time and it is constantly evolving. These resources are of great value to society from a cultural, environmental, social and economic point of view and thus their sustainable management constitutes a strategic choice for the 21st century'.

EU Member States' definitions of cultural heritage

While EU Member States generally consider cultural heritage a broad and multifaceted concept, they differ in the emphasis they place on the tangible, intangible, movable, immovable and natural dimensions of this concept. Some adopt a more explicitly temporal view, presenting heritage as a legacy inherited from the past, sustained in the present and safeguarded for the future; others, however, choose not to focus on this temporal dimension. From another perspective, some Member States define cultural heritage as an evolving expression of values, beliefs, knowledge and traditions, encompassing all elements resulting from the interaction of people, place, history, and nature over time. Generally, all recognise the importance of objects, sites and places with historic or artistic value, but they vary in the extent to which they explicitly include landscapes, natural environments, documentary materials and living traditions.

EU objectives and competence in the area of culture and cultural heritage

The preamble of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) draws its inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe. The overarching objective of the EU in the area of culture is to 'respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity' and 'to ensure that Europe's cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced' (Article 3 TEU). While culture is a competence of the EU Member States, the EU can encourage cooperation between them and support or supplement their actions (Article 6 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, (TFEU)). Additionally, the EU must 'contribute to the flowering of the cultures of the Member States while respecting their national and regional diversity' and highlighting the common cultural heritage (Article 167 TFEU).

European identity is directly linked with its cultural heritage, and this represents a living source of remembrance, understanding, creativity, dialogue and cohesion for Europe. According to Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013 establishing the Creative Europe Programme, 'the cultural and creative sectors include inter alia architecture, archives, libraries and museums, artistic crafts, audiovisual (including film, television, video games and multimedia), tangible and intangible cultural heritage, design, festivals, music, literature, performing arts, publishing, radio and visual arts'.

The role of culture and cultural heritage in shaping European identity

Culture enhances European identity by fostering a sense of shared belonging and interconnectedness across borders. European culture and heritage are central to EU values and identity, providing a space for dialogue, reflection and civic engagement. Cultural activities and heritage sites bring people together, fostering community life, social interaction and cultural exchange. They offer opportunities to challenge assumptions, stimulate imagination and engage with new ideas and perspectives. In doing so, they shape our understanding of the world and of life in all their diversity and richness.

Culture and heritage can also help promote peace, sustainability, tolerance, human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law. By raising awareness of social and global challenges, cultural activities can encourage informed public debate and foster a deeper understanding of complex issues. They can also provide a space in which societal tensions, competing interests and difficult questions can be explored and discussed.

European Capitals of Culture

The European Capitals of Culture is one of the most successful and well-known cultural initiatives in the EU. So far, 75 cities across Europe have been nominated to hold the title of European Capital of Culture, including those designated for 2026. The initiative seeks to promote Europe's cultural diversity, foster a stronger sense of belonging and contribute to the development of the cultural sector, while also widening access to culture in the cities concerned. Its current rules and procedures are set out in a 2014 joint decision of Parliament and the Council, establishing an EU action for the European Capitals of Culture for the period 2020 to 2033. In general, two cities from two different countries are selected each year, with participating countries allocated on a rotating basis. The selection is made six years in advance to allow the host cities to plan and prepare. Each country, through its Ministry of Culture, is responsible for selecting the city to be put forward. Originally limited to EU Member States, the initiative expanded in 2014 to include candidate and potential candidate countries, followed by members of the European Free Trade Association and the European economic area in 2017. A notable example of this inclusive reach is the selection of Novi Sad, Serbia, as a 2022 Capital of Culture. The European Capitals of Culture for 2026 are Oulu, Finland, and Trenčín, Slovakia, following the 2025 cities: Chemnitz, Germany, and the cross-border partnership of Nova Gorica, Slovenia, and Gorizia, Italy.

European Heritage Days

The European Heritage Days is a Council of Europe initiative launched in 1985 and formally joined by the Commission in 1999. As of March 2022, the programme involves 46 countries that are signatories to the European Cultural Convention. Each year, mainly in September, museums and historical sites across Europe, typically closed to the public, open their doors for free, offering citizens the opportunity to connect directly with Europe's shared cultural heritage. The purpose of the initiative is to foster a sense of belonging among European citizens by raising awareness of, and cultivating appreciation for, the continent's cultural richness and diversity.

To ensure thematic coherence across participating countries, a central theme is announced each year, serving as a guiding framework for organisers coordinating events throughout Europe. The theme selected for 2025 was Heritage and Architecture, chosen to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the European Architectural Heritage Year. Its stated purpose was to emphasise 'the artistic and technical achievements of architecture, showcasing everything from grand monuments in bustling cities to vernacular buildings in rural areas'. Beyond celebrating the tangible heritage, the theme invited participants to explore the diverse architectural styles of the past and, in doing so, to reflect on the crucial intangible heritage that underpins them.

European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018

Parliament and the Council jointly designated 2018 as the European Year of Cultural Heritage, marking both the centenary of the end of World War I and of the independence of several eastern EU Member States. As its official motto – 'Our heritage: where the past meets the future' – implies, the initiative was intended to encourage people of all ages, particularly older citizens, who symbolise the past, and younger citizens, who symbolise the future, to engage more actively with Europe's cultural heritage through events such as exhibitions, public campaigns and educational activities. It also sought to promote values, such as diversity, intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, while also raising awareness of the importance of Europe's rich and diverse historical and cultural legacy. All EU institutions committed themselves to organising public events throughout the year, and the participating countries, 28 EU Member States and 9 associated countries, supported the initiative at the national level together with a wide range of stakeholders. The initiative was widely regarded as successful: 12.8 million people participated and 23 000 events were organised across all 37 participating countries. Building on this success, the framework for action on cultural heritage was published to provide guidance to cities, regions and cultural heritage organisations in developing their own concrete cultural heritage actions.

European Heritage Label

The European Heritage Label is an EU initiative that designates historical sites that embody and promote European ideals, values, history and integration. By recognising sites of shared cultural significance, the programme seeks to enhance citizens' appreciation for their common, yet diverse heritage, thereby strengthening the sense of belonging to the EU and reinforcing intercultural dialogue. It was formally established through a 2011 joint decision of Parliament and the Council establishing a European Union action for the European Heritage Label. This decision built upon the 2008 Council conclusions on the creation of a European heritage label, which proposed transforming the intergovernmental scheme, originally launched in 2006 by three Member States into a formal EU action. To date, 80 sites have been selected, in line with the principles of inclusion and diversity. In 2026, the initiative's fifteenth anniversary, a record 13 sites have been selected. The selection process operates on a biannual cycle with individual Member States first pre-selecting up to two candidate sites at the national level. These candidates are subsequently evaluated by an independent EU-level panel based on the principles of inclusion and diversity. The panel then recommends the sites to the European Commission for the attribution of the European Heritage Label title.

A 2025 addition to the Label is Bosco delle Querce in Italy, which stands as a European symbol of environmental accountability. This park emerged from the remediation of land contaminated by a 1976 chemical disaster; it also represents collective resilience and the capacity to transform an industrial ruin into an educational space and a place of collective memory and environmental regeneration. Another example from the 2025 list is Places of Europe, a transnational European heritage site linking countries associated with the signing of major peace treaties. In this respect, the site functions as a powerful symbol of European peace and coexistence. St Paul's Catacombs in Malta, meanwhile, is an example of religious tolerance, as the catacombs contain Polytheistic, Christian, and Jewish burial sites, thereby reflecting the coexistence of different faith traditions within a shared historical site.

The European Heritage Label resembles the UNESCO's World Heritage List, but a close reading of their admission criteria shows that they serve distinct purposes: the European Heritage Label is awarded not primarily based on aesthetic or architectural value, but for a site's symbolic significance in European history and the selected sites are expected to have an educational dimension within a pan-European perspective. In addition, cooperation among sites is strongly encouraged. The sites may meet the criteria of both schemes, as in the case of the Acropolis in Athens, which stands as an outstanding example of European culture and UNESCO's universal value.

European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards

The European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards is an important initiative of European Commission, managed by the civil society organisation committed to safeguard and promoting European heritage, Europa Nostra, since its launch in 2002. This prestigious prize is awarded to European projects that demonstrate excellence and best practices in the conservation and enhancement of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Each year, a maximum of 30 winners are selected. Among these winners up to five receive the Grand Prix, accompanied by a €10 000 prize. Furthermore, a Public Choice Award, also worth €10 000 is given to the project that secures the highest share of online votes from the public. The winners are organised into five categories, reflecting the broad spectrum of activities within the cultural heritage sector. Notable examples from these categories include:

European Heritage Hub

The European Heritage Hub is an EU co-funded project established in 2023. It is designed to bring together cultural heritage stakeholders across the EU and neighbouring countries in order to facilitate knowledge exchange and pool resources in support of a stronger culture-driven network. The project seeks to improve coordination among cultural heritage initiatives, particularly across cities and regions, while also encouraging citizens' engagement with cultural heritage. Special attention is given to attracting young cultural professionals, capitalising on 2022 European Year of Youth success, which reached 91.4 million citizens on social media and saw more than 13 000 events organised all over the world. To make heritage-related knowledge more accessible, the Hub has developed two digital tools:

Europeana and Common European Dataspace for Cultural Heritage

Europeana is a project launched by the European Commission in 2008 with the aim of preserving Europe's digital cultural heritage through an online archive of more than 63 million items, including works of art, books and music from cultural institutions across Europe. By bringing together such a vast and varied collection in a single digital space, Europeana seeks to support free public access to Europe's historical and cultural record, while also encouraging to explore the continent's rich and diverse heritage. In this way, the project not only supports research and learning, but also promotes a broader appreciation of Europe's cultural legacy among the public. The platform works in close collaboration with Common European Dataspace for Cultural Heritage, a key EU initiative that provides a digital infrastructure with tools and guidelines to support cultural heritage professionals across the EU. The dataspace's Strategy 2025-2030 sets a long-term vision for integrating digital heritage part of the EU priorities relating to data, AI and digital transformation. The strategy places particular emphasis on the development of a robust and interoperable infrastructure capable of making cultural heritage data accessible and reusable, while also supporting the digital transformation of cultural heritage field more broadly.

Cultural Heritage Cloud

The Culture Heritage Cloud, or European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage, is an EU initiative funded under Horizon Europe. It aims to strengthen connections among cultural heritage institutions and professionals across Europe, which will work closely with the European Data Space for Cultural Heritage. As a shared digital infrastructure, it is designed to facilitate collaboration, support the exchange of good practices, and foster a more coordinated and innovative heritage sector. By providing collaborative digital tools, the cloud seeks to accelerate innovation, promote common understanding across institutions, and reduce barriers to participation, especially for smaller organisations and those in remote areas. It is also intended to support preservation, conservation, restoration, and enhancement efforts through advanced digital technologies, including the digitisation of artifacts and the research of artworks.

PROCULTHER and the READY project

PROCULTHER and the READY project are two EU initiatives led by the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, designed to protect cultural heritage from the consequences of natural disasters. While the EU Civil Protection Mechanism provides the wider operational framework for disaster response across Member States, PROCULTHER and READY project address different stages in time regarding heritage protection. PROCULTHER is an emergency-response initiative launched in 2019 to help authorities rescue cultural heritage during natural disasters through common procedures and coordinated action. READY, launched in 2025, by contrast, is preventive: it focuses on reducing the risk of damage to cultural heritage from climate change and complex emergencies, especially through training for professionals and communities before disasters strike. More specifically, it provides a common framework of procedures for the rescue of cultural heritage during emergencies, enabling swift and coordinated action by the competent authorities. PROCULTHER brings together a diverse partnership, including public authorities with disaster-management competences in Italy, Spain, France and Türkiye, as well as two private technical experts, to share experience and develop coordinated approaches to emergency response. It has passed through different phases, and the current one has expanded its geographic scope to include Romania and Poland while shifting toward a multi-stakeholder approach that engages citizens, civil society, the private sector, and the scientific community. Its broader objective is to ensure that these common procedures can ultimately be implemented at national level, particularly in the countries involved that are highly exposed to natural hazards and that possess exceptionally rich cultural heritage, collectively accounting for approximately 17% of the sites on the World Heritage List.

Aside from all these main EU initiatives, groundbreaking research in cultural heritage is also supported through Horizon Europe, the EU's Research and Innovation funding programme, while the Commission has gained practical experience through its support for Ukraine's cultural heritage and artists. In addition, the EU action plan against trafficking in cultural goods, the regulation on the introduction and import of cultural goods, the anti-money-laundering directive, and several EU-funded research projects have together established a solid framework for coordinated action in this field, both now and in the future.