Horizon 2020: ‘Getting Cultural Heritage to Work for Europe’
The anticipated report of the Horizon 2020 expert group on cultural heritage is now available online. The report, presenting the conclusions of the Expert Group, provides the rationale for setting a renewed European Research & Innovation policy agenda on cultural heritage. It outlines the general framework about cultural heritage in Europe and the contribution it can make towards smarter, more inclusive and more sustainable development.
Under the chairmanship of Dr Philippe Busquin, former Commissioner for Research, Science and Technology and former Member of the European Parliament, the group of experts found that:
“Cultural heritage is a significant force for 21st century Europe. Not only is it at the heart of what it means to be European, it is being discovered by both governments and citizens as a means of improving economic performance, people’s lives and living environments… Evidence demonstrates that relatively modest investment in cultural heritage can pay substantial dividends. These can be taken economically but also in terms of improving environmental sustainability and social cohesion.”
The group of experts was established under the Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2014 for the Societal Challenge ‘Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials’. It was composed of nine renowned experts from the private and public sector, including Brian Smith, Secretary General of the European Association of Historic Towns and Regions, Member of European Heritage Alliance 3.3 (whose activities are coordinated by Europa Nostra); Fani Malouchou-Tufano, Chair of the Jury for Conservation of the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards for the years 2014-2015; and Guy Clausse, Dean of the European Investment Bank Institute and distinguished partner of Europa Nostra on the 7 Most Endangered programme.
