Discover the compelling vision for the future of Europe’s cultural heritage in this essay. Advocating for a “New Heritage Deal for Europe,” the document presents a comprehensive analysis of the pivotal role that cultural heritage plays in shaping the continent’s identity and future. It highlights the overwhelming support for cultural heritage among Europeans, with statistics revealing that 84% of Europeans consider it important for their community and 91% find it significant for their country. The essay underscores the urgent need for increased investments in cultural heritage, emphasising its potential to drive positive societal change and contribute to the transformation of Europe’s society, economy, and environment.
The New Heritage Deal for Europe outlines seven interconnected ways to achieve positive societal change through cultural heritage, including healing Europe, digitally transforming Europe, and embracing the world. It stresses the importance of aligning European citizens and institutions, emphasising the need to capture the hearts and minds of Europeans to ensure the success of the proposed New Heritage Deal. Furthermore, the essay provides evidence of the economic, environmental, and social benefits of investing in cultural heritage, citing the substantial rewards in terms of job creation, sustainability, and social cohesion. It also advocates for smarter investment choices to yield sustainable and measurable results for local communities and their living environment.
In addition, the New Heritage Deal for Europe highlights the significance of cultural heritage in the context of the European Green Deal, emphasising the need to fully integrate the cultural dimension into the green transformation of society and the economy. It also underscores the importance of cultural heritage-related climate action at the European level. Overall, this essay presents a compelling case for prioritising and investing in Europe’s cultural heritage as a catalyst for a better and more sustainable future.
This is the fifteenth essay in the Big Ideas series created by the European Investment Bank. Its author is Prof. Dr Hermann Parzinger, an archaeologist, historian and cultural heritage expert and Executive President of Europa Nostra since 2018.
