The European Cultural Heritage Summit 2025, held in Brussels from 12–15 October, concluded with the adoption of the Brussels Manifesto — a landmark call to action placing Europe’s cultural and natural heritage at the centre of EU strategies, budgets, and policies.
As the European Commission prepares to launch the Culture Compass for Europe and shape the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), the Brussels Manifesto underscores the central role of cultural and natural heritage as a guiding force for Europe’s future.
The document outlines seven strategic priorities aimed at strengthening Europe’s cultural foundation and ensuring its role in shaping a sustainable and cohesive future.
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Culture as a Strategic Investment
The Manifesto urges the EU to embed culture and heritage into all major policies and commit at least 2% of the EU budget to this sector, recognising it as a key driver of social and economic resilience. -
Empowering People through Skills and Innovation
Education, training, and creativity take centre stage, with calls to boost craftsmanship, digital and AI literacy, and climate-smart innovation. The Manifesto also champions youth involvement, volunteering, and intergenerational exchange. -
Preserving Europe’s Tangible Heritage
Sustainable conservation, adaptive reuse, and digitisation are highlighted as essential tools to protect historic sites while contributing to climate-resilient urban planning. -
Celebrating Living Traditions
Europe’s intangible heritage — from languages and music to performing arts and craftsmanship — is recognised as a vibrant expression of the continent’s diversity and identity. -
Building Bridges through Heritage
The Manifesto advocates for heritage-led cooperation in EU enlargement and neighbourhood policies, promoting trust, reconciliation, and democratic participation across borders. -
Strengthening Global Partnerships
Europe is called upon to lead internationally by positioning cultural heritage as a catalyst for sustainability and global collaboration. -
Protecting Heritage in Times of Crisis
Safeguarding cultural assets in conflict and disaster zones is framed as both a moral obligation and a strategic necessity for lasting peace and resilience.
By uniting these ambitions, the Brussels Manifesto envisions a Europe where cultural and natural heritage are not peripheral concerns but core pillars of its collective future.
Read the full Brussels Manifesto (pdf)
Download the Brussels Manifesto (pdf) in Greek:ΤΟ ΜΑΝΙΦΕΣΤΟ ΤΩΝ ΒΡΥΞΕΛΛΩΝ
