A new study requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development (REGI) is examining the role of Cohesion Policy in promoting cultural and historical heritage through local authorities. The study will assess how Cohesion Policy has contributed to the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage and explore the challenges faced by local authorities in accessing funding for heritage-related projects.

As part of the study, a dedicated survey has been launched to gather the experiences and perspectives of local authorities across Europe. The survey is aimed at officials working on cultural heritage, EU funding, urban regeneration, tourism, planning, housing, energy efficiency, and regional or local development.

The study focuses primarily on the 2021–2027 Cohesion Policy programming period, while also welcoming relevant experiences from the 2014–2020 period and completed projects whose impacts continue to shape local territories.

Cultural and historical heritage is understood broadly, covering historic centres, protected and listed buildings, churches and cathedrals, museums and interpretation centres, cultural routes, archaeological sites, industrial heritage, rural and vernacular heritage, cultural landscapes, archives, libraries and intangible heritage.

The findings will contribute to recommendations for the post-2027 Cohesion Policy framework, with particular attention to the role and competences of the European Parliament. The study will also highlight the practical difficulties local authorities encounter when financing heritage conservation and promotion, helping to identify opportunities to strengthen support through future Cohesion Policy.

Share your experience

ERRIN members are invited to contribute to the study by completing the survey and sharing their experiences of using Cohesion Policy to support cultural and historical heritage in their territories.

The survey can be found here and the deadline has been extended until 28 October. 

Responses will be analysed for research purposes on behalf of the European Parliament. Individual responses will not be attributed to named individuals unless explicit permission is provided.