Introduction
The European Union (EU) is not a cultural organization like UNESCO, yet it plays an important role in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage (ICH). While culture remains largely the responsibility of Member States, the EU provides legal frameworks, funding programs, and strategic initiatives that help communities and countries protect and promote their heritage.
At EU level, safeguarding ICH is strongly linked to identity, cohesion, sustainable development, and cultural diversity. It is also a tool for fostering dialogue between European citizens and strengthening a shared sense of belonging.
EU instruments for safeguarding ICH
- Legal and political frameworks
- The Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (Article 167) highlights the importance of respecting and promoting cultural diversity.
- The EU supports the implementation of the UNESCO 2003 Convention through cooperation and policy alignment.
- Funding programs
- Creative Europe: supports cultural projects, festivals, networks, and cross-border cooperation.
- Horizon Europe: research projects on heritage, identity, and digital safeguarding.
- Interreg: cross-border and regional projects connecting communities around shared traditions.
- Erasmus+: education and training initiatives integrating ICH in formal and non-formal learning.
- European Year of Cultural Heritage (2018)
- Promoted awareness of both tangible and intangible heritage.
- Encouraged citizens’ participation in safeguarding.
- Networks and platforms
- The EU works closely with the Council of Europe (e.g., the Faro Convention on cultural heritage as a right).
- Digital platforms such as Europeana collect and share cultural heritage content across Member States.
Examples of EU-level initiatives
- The Mediterranean Diet: supported not only by UNESCO inscription but also by EU research and funding programs promoting food heritage and sustainable agriculture.
- European Capitals of Culture: cities like Sibiu (2007) or Plovdiv (2019) used ICH to strengthen cultural tourism and local identity.
- Cross-border festivals and projects funded by Creative Europe (e.g., polyphonic singing, craft networks, storytelling initiatives).
These initiatives show how the EU uses ICH as a bridge between cultural policy, education, and sustainable development.
Application – Student activity
Task:
- Select one EU program (Creative Europe, Horizon Europe, Interreg, Erasmus+).
- Research one project supported by that program related to ICH.
- Present briefly:
- Which tradition was supported?
- How was the community involved?
- What impact did the project have at local and European level?
Reflection questions
- Why is the EU interested in safeguarding intangible heritage, even though culture is mainly a national competence?
- Do you think EU funding helps communities safeguard traditions, or does it risk turning them into “projects for tourism”?
- How can European cooperation balance shared European identity with local distinctiveness?
- Which EU program would you use to support a tradition from your community, and why?