New CHARTER Report Dynamics, future scenarios and upskilling for cultural heritage

What lies ahead for cultural heritage? CHARTER’s new report unveils future scenarios and their associated challenges, opportunities and skills needs

The European Cultural Heritage Skills Alliance (CHARTER), funded by Erasmus+ in which ERRIN is a partner, has released a new report offering a strategic roadmap for the heritage sector as it navigates an increasingly complex and ever-evolving future. This new delivery constitutes the final report of the project's analysis of the sector integrated dynamics. 

Developed through desk research, surveys, and a Think Tank event held in Berlin in September 2023 with experts in the field, this report outlines challenges, opportunities, implications for skills and future jobs, and education and training needs, to address:

  • Geostrategic dynamics, with reference to how heritage interacts with global power relations. While cultural heritage can foster community identity and pride, it can also be exploited or targeted for destruction. At the same time, it can serve as a tool for diplomacy, cooperation, and economic and social development.
  • Climate change, in reference to human-driven activities increasingly affecting cultural heritage. Extreme weather events such as rising sea levels and heatwaves are causing significant damage to historical sites, threatening not only the loss of cultural landmarks but also impacting jobs and the economy.
  • Circular economy, in reference to using products, materials, and resources for as long as possible with minimal waste. This approach not only reduces environmental impacts but also drives innovation and competitiveness. In the cultural heritage sector, the circular economy supports the preservation and reuse of historic buildings, artifacts, and practices. Actions like maintenance, repair, and restoration help reduce waste, while traditional crafts and techniques can inspire sustainable solutions that respect both the environment and cultural values.
  • Digital technologies, in reference to the digital shift revolutionising how we access, experience, and preserve cultural heritage. Supported by EU policies like the Digital Agenda and initiatives such as Europeana, these technologies, including AI and immersive experiences, are making heritage more accessible and easier to preserve. As society becomes more digital, heritage organisations must adopt these technologies to engage future audiences and ensure relevance.

The report issues clear calls to action, emphasising the importance of embracing innovation, sustainability, and cross-sector collaboration. Highlighting the need to proactively address and adapt to the future scenarios analysed, the report provides needed changes to set the basis for a transition. Building on CHARTER’s tools and analyses, the report calls for the adoption of a new-value chain model for heritage, the development of new curricula offering to future-proofing the sector and the adoption of a new competence framework for skills.

Taking a holistic approach, the report serves as a roadmap for policymakers, institutions, and professionals, guiding them through the challenges and opportunities of the coming decades to ensure the resilience and sustainability of cultural heritage in Europe.

Are you equipped for the future needs? Continue reading the full report on the Results section of CHARTER’s website, and get concrete insights and recommendations to face the sector’s current and future challenges.

About CHARTER

CHARTER brings together and represents the whole range of the European cultural heritage sector. The 47 project partners strive to make cultural heritage's value apparent and create a resilient and responsive sector.

ERRIN and six of its members pioneered this first sectoral skills blueprint project under Erasmus+ that included regions from the start and took a solid regional focus when investigating the skills demands and supply in the sector. You can read the full report about the six regional case studies conducted by ERRIN's members here.