2014 Awards Scheme: 169 Applications from 31 countries received

Organisations and individuals from 31 countries across Europe submitted a total of 169 applications for the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award 2014. The Conservation category has the highest number of entries (97). It is followed by the Education, Training and Awareness-Raising category (38), the Research category (19) and the Dedicated Service to Heritage category (15). In regards to the countries, for the first time in several years, Italy is first in the ranking, with 29 projects submitted. Spain occupies the second position, with 21 applications, and the United Kingdom the third place, with 17 entries.

The selection process is underway. The Heritage Awards Juries will meet next January to choose the winning entries. The jury for the Dedicated Service to Heritage category will gather on 15 January in Brussels; the jury for the Education, Training and Awareness-Raising category will assemble on 21-23 January in The Hague; the jury for the Conservation category will meet on 22-25 January in the Hague; and the jury for the Research category will gather on 29 January in The Hague.

The European Heritage Awards Ceremony, which has become an undisputed highlight of Europe’s yearly cultural calendar, will be held in Vienna, at the majestic Burgtheater on 5 May. Plácido Domingo, the world-renowned opera singer and President of Europa Nostra, and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, will jointly present the 2014 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award to up to 30 winners. The ceremony, which will include a special cultural/musical performance, will be attended by hundreds of heritage professionals and volunteers and many dignitaries from the worlds of business, culture and politics, including high representatives from European Institutions.