Communication: Towards an integrated approach to cultural heritage for Europe

Europe’s cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, is our common wealth - our inheritance from previous generations of Europeans and our legacy for those to come. It is an irreplaceable repository of knowledge and a valuable resource for economic growth, employment and social cohesion. It enriches the individual lives of hundreds of millions of people, is a source of inspiration for thinkers and artists, and a driver for our cultural and creative industries. Our cultural heritage and the way we preserve and valorise it is a major factor in defining Europe's place in the world and its attractiveness as a place to live, work, and visit.

Cultural heritage is a shared resource, and a common good. Like other such goods it can be vulnerable to over-exploitation and under-funding, which can result in neglect, decay and, in some cases, oblivion. Looking after our heritage is, therefore, our common responsibility. While heritage protection is primarily a matter for national, regional and local authorities, the European Union has a role to play in line with the EU Treaties and in respect of the principle of subsidiarity.

Since the adoption of the European Agenda for Culture in 2007, heritage has been a priority for the Council's work plans for culture, and cooperation at European level has advanced through the Open Method of Coordination. Political interest at EU level has steadily grown - cultural and heritage stakeholders recently highlighted in the Declaration on a New Narrative for Europe: 'Europe as a political body needs to recognise the value of cultural heritage. Heritage reveals what it has meant to be a European throughout time. It is a powerful instrument that provides a sense of belonging amongst and between European citizens'.

This Communication has been informed by several years of dialogue with EU Presidencies and stakeholders. It responds to this year's invitation of the Council to the Commission to "pursue the analysis of the economic and social impact of cultural heritage in the EU and contribute to a development of a strategic approach". It examines available information on the economic and social impacts of cultural heritage and plans to improve the evidence base and explores the challenges and opportunities for the heritage sector.

In line with the objectives of the European Agenda for Culture, this Communication presents the EU's approach to heritage across different policy areas. It then sets out the tools available at EU level, complementing national and regional programmes, to help protect and enhance the intrinsic and social value of heritage, to strengthen its contribution to economic growth and job creation, and develop its potential for the EU's public diplomacy. Lastly the Communication describes the measures available to strengthen policy cooperation at different levels, and projects being developed to support new models of heritage governance.

EUR-Lex: COM(2014)477: Follow the progress of this communication through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2014:477:FIN

ESO: Background information: Commissioner Vassiliou: cultural heritage to gain from stronger European support http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-commissioner-vassiliou-cultural-heritage-to-gain-from-stronger-european-support/

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