European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018

The European Parliament adopted by 554 votes to 68, with 30 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a European Year of Cultural Heritage.

The European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure amended the Commission proposal as follows:

Purpose: the purpose of the 2018 European Year shall be to encourage the sharing and appreciation of Europe's cultural heritage as a shared resource, to raise awareness of common history and values, and to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space.

The specific objectives shall be to:

• promote solutions which make cultural heritage accessible to all, including via digital means, by removing social, cultural and physical barriers, taking into account people with special needs;
• encourage synergies between cultural heritage and environment policies by integrating cultural heritage into environmental, architectural and planning policies, and by promoting energy-efficiency;
• encourage regional and local development strategies that tap into the potential of cultural heritage, including through the promotion of sustainable tourism;
• support the development of specialised skills and improve knowledge management and knowledge transfer in the cultural heritage sector;
• promote cultural heritage as a source of inspiration for contemporary creation and innovation;
• raise awareness of the importance of Europe's cultural heritage through education and lifelong learning, in particular by focusing on children, young and elderly people, local communities and hard-to-reach groups;
• highlight historic events which have a symbolic importance for Europe and its cultural heritage such as the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and of the independence of several Member States.

Content of measures: these measures shall consist of: (i) initiatives and events to promote debate and raise awareness of the importance and value of cultural heritage and to facilitate engagement with citizens and stakeholders; (ii) information, exhibitions, education and awareness-raising campaigns to convey values such as diversity and intercultural; (iii) the sharing of experience and good practices and the dissemination of information about cultural heritage; (iv) the promotion of projects and networks connected to the European Year, including via the media and social networks.

Coordination at Member Stated and Union level: the organisation of participation in the European Year at national level is a responsibility of the Member States. To that end, Member States shall appoint national coordinators.

The Commission shall regularly convene meetings of the national coordinators. Representatives of the European Parliament may participate in those meetings as observers.

Stakeholders and representatives of organisations or bodies active in the field of cultural heritage, including existing transnational cultural networks and relevant NGOs, as well as of youth organisations, shall assist it in implementing the European Year at Union level.

Protection of financial interests: the financial interests of the Union shall be protected by the application of preventive measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities, by effective checks and inspections and, if irregularities are detected, by the recovery of the amounts unduly paid and, where appropriate, by administrative and financial penalties.

Budget: the financial envelope for the implementation of this Decision for the period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018 shall be EUR 8 million. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the European Parliament and the Council within the limits of the multiannual financial framework.