Introduction to the project
Under the Erasmus + Blueprint for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills - one of the key initiatives of the 2016 Skills Agenda for Europe – stakeholders work together in sector-specific partnerships, called alliances for sectoral cooperation for skills, which develop and implement strategies to address skills gaps in these sectors. Within the Pact for Skills of the Updated Skills Agenda 2020, Blueprints were expanded and opened to more sectors.
CHARTER is the Cultural Heritage sector-specific partnership: this alliance will develop and implement European sector-wide strategies and vocational training solutions to address skills gaps in the field. Although there is broad agreement that cultural heritage is intrinsically related to personal wellbeing and human identity, it remains an underrated and under-resourced social and economical good.
Project in Action
The project started in January 2021 and will last until December 2024. CHARTER seeks to create a lasting, comprehensive sectoral skills strategy to guarantee Europe has the necessary cultural heritage skills to support sustainable societies and economies, including transversal competences such as digital/technological and green/blue economy skills. The consortium unites 47 members that represent some of the top education and training, organisations, networks and employers of the European cultural heritage sector.
The project uses strategic collaboration and innovative methodologies to bridge the gaps between educational and occupational systems and employer needs, reduce skills shortages, and overcome the paucity of cultural heritage statistical data. The project collected data on six knowledge areas to identify core and transversal competences, including digital, technological and green adaptation skills.
Moreover, CHARTER will create a comprehensive sectoral skills strategy and build a lasting cultural heritage skills alliance in Europe.
ERRIN's role
Five of ERRIN’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Working Group members are playing a key role in the regional roll-out of the initiative: Alentejo, the Basque Country, the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Tuscany Region and Västra Gotäland. The Lombardy Region is an affiliate member, and supported a case study on the Milan Duomo. The member organisations are committed to reinforcing the regional dimension of the Sectoral Skills Strategy on Cultural Heritage.
In addition, ERRIN is co-leading the work on ‘Alliances, Sustainable Strategies, and Policy Recommendations,’ together with the Romanian National Institute of Heritage. This is the place to reflect on how to reinforce the regional roll-out of all Blueprints for Sectoral Skills Strategy funded by the European Commission and how to better coordinate actions at regional and national level in the respective Member States, securing a stronger voice for the regional activities.
Benefit for members and links with ERRIN's WGs and priorities
The regional roll-out of the sectoral skills alliance is a key component of the Blueprint actions: building on their achievements, the Blueprints are expected to be rolled out at regional and national level. This will be done in cooperation with national and regional authorities, and key stakeholders, including from the ERRIN membership. There will also be synergies with other policy frameworks, such as regional smart specialisation strategies.
Latest Updates
- By Astrid Hannes
The Union of Skills: why the regional dimension matters?
On 25 June, ERRIN's Science and Education for Society (SEFS WG) Working Group held a fruitful exchange with the cabinet of Vice-President Mînzatu, highlighting the importance of the regional dimension in the implementation of the Union of Skills. ERRIN has now expressed its interest in bringing the regional perspective into the High-Level Governance Board of the Union of Skills.
- By Zoé Thomazeau
Help shape the future European Cloud for Cultural Heritage: ECHOES survey now open
Building on some preparatory work from the CHARTER project, in which ERRIN was a partner, the ECHOES consortium is developing a European Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH). To ensure the Cloud meets the real needs of professionals across the cultural heritage sector, ECHOES has launched a Europe-wide consultation. ERRIN invites its members and stakeholders to respond to the survey. The deadline is 30 June.
- By Dubravka Jurišić
Call for regional examples: Policies and Practices for successful NEB implementation - learnings from local stakeholders
The New European Bauhaus Task Force calls ERRIN members for good local and regional examples contributing to the implementation of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative. The examples will be presented at a meeting taking place in person on 11 June 2025, 10:00–13:00 CEST at the ERRIN Office. Express your interest in presenting a regional example by May 15.
- By Zoé Thomazeau
Call for regional examples combatting climate change for protecting cultural heritage
For its first meeting of the 2025, the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Working Group is calling ERRIN members for good local and regional examples of fighting climate change in the field of cultural heritage. The examples will be presented at the WG meeting taking place in person on 30 April 2025, 10:00-12:00 at the ERRIN Office.
- By Astrid Hannes
Towards a European observatory for cultural heritage skills, training and education
The CHARTER European Skills Alliance for Cultural Heritage has now published a feasibility study for establishing a European wide Observatory containing data on cultural heritage skills, training and education. This study reconfirms the need expressed by key stakeholders of the heritage sector for a coordinated initiative for improving the skills intelligence for the sector allowing forecasting for skills needs. Among the experts interviewed, feature ERRIN members of the Basque Country, Tuscany Region, Emilia Romagna and Scotland, which have been pioneering with skills policies and skills intelligence for cultural heritage.
- By Astrid Hannes
CHARTER’s Recommendations: A roadmap for a thriving cultural heritage sector
CHARTER, the European Cultural Heritage Skills Alliance funded by Erasmus+, has released its twelve recommendations to strengthen the heritage sector by addressing skills gaps, promoting lifelong learning and fostering professional mobility. Discover the full recommendations to understand how CHARTER is shaping a resilient and forward-thinking heritage ecosystem.