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.

The project started in January 2021 and will last for the next four years. 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 28 members that represent some of the top education and training, organisations, networks and employers of the European cultural heritage sector.

Project Objectives

The project will use 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 will collect 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.

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ERRIN's Role

Five of ERRIN’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Working Group members will play a key role in the regional roll-out of the initiative: Alentejo, the Basque Country, the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Tuscany Region and Vastra Gotaland. The member organisations are, committed to reinforcing the regional dimension of the Sectoral Skills Strategy on Cultural Heritage.

In addition, ERRIN will co-lead the work on ‘Alliances, Sustainable Strategies, and Policy Recommendations,’ together with the Romanian National Institute of Heritage. This will be 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.

  • Astrid Hannes
  • Policy & Project Manager
  • Teresa Vio
  • Administration & HR Officer

Benefit & Links

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.

Project in Action

#CharterAllianceEU

CHARTER has launched its first promotional video to have a quick overview of the Erasmus+ funded project’s context, mission and aims.

Latest Updates

  • By Francesca Pozzebon

The Pact for Skills for CCIs - What next after the Year of Skills?

ERRIN Design & Creativity Working Group is hosting a meeting to discuss the Pact for Skills, its achievements and its legacy. The meeting will offer ERRIN members an overview of the current developments in the Large Scale Partnership for CCIs and some concrete ongoing examples in a dialogue with the European Commission.

  • By Astrid Hannes

CHARTER Webinar: Cultural Heritage Sector Dynamics across Europe: exploring gaps and needs in professional development

The CHARTER EU Skills Alliance for Cultural Heritage, one of ERRIN's projects, is organising a webinar on 29 May to present the project's findings on the sector's integrated dynamics and examine relevant stakeholders in the heritage sector. It will also allow participants to get insights into the process of mapping the cultural heritage sector in terms of skills and needs shortages in educational and professional contexts. The speakers will also present future scenarios and solutions.

  • By Francesca Pozzebon

Pioneering Futures: Rethinking Cultural and Heritage Ecosystem

KU Leuven Institute for Cultural Heritage, in partnership with Una Europa and the Belgian presidency, is hosting an event on Pioneering Futures: Rethinking Cultural and Heritage Ecosystems. Hosted in Leuven as part of the official event calendar of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union, this event welcomes policymakers, academics, practitioners, and wider stakeholders to chart a course for the advancement of cultural and heritage ecosystems within a regional, national, and European context. The event will take place on 14 May 2024.

  • By Astrid Hannes

The European Year of Skills: What Comes Next?

On 30 April, the European Commission is organising the “The European Year of Skills: what comes next?” conference that will look back at the learnings of the EU Year of Skills. It will also be an important milestone to reflect on the road ahead. The conference will feature prominent political and stakeholder panels, inspiring speeches, insightful conversations, and interactive discussion groups on specific topics.

  • By Astrid Hannes

How can heritage skills unlock the full potential of European regions?

In this online webinar, the CHARTER project will explore how heritage skills can unlock the potential of European regions. It will present the findings of six regional case studies on regional cultural heritage ecosystems, five coming from ERRIN members, showcasing how to better align the education and training offer with the labour market needs to equip future-ready skills and traditional heritage skills. The webinar will take place on 26 April from 14:00-15:00.

  • By Teresa Vio

ENCATC Members Talk - Towards a closer cooperation with Regions

On 12 April, ERRIN will take part in the upcoming Members Talk hosted by ENCATC (the European network on cultural management and policy). The online event will focus on regions and their role in strengthening and advancing culture.