Support for the implementation of the European Heritage Label

EU funding supports the networking and capacity building of sites with the European Heritage Label (EHL) through a central secretariat. Funding is provided to individual organizations or consortia consisting of non-profit organizations, public institutions, and enterprises active in the fields of cultural heritage and capacity building, recognized in an EU member state. The focus is on the sustainable safeguarding of the network: through personnel costs for the secretariat, travel expenses for workshops and award ceremonies, cascade funding for third parties, as well as the development of digital, multilingual materials. With a funding amount of €3,000,000 and a project duration of 48 months, structured exchange formats, seminars, and regional events are to be established to intensify cooperation among the EHL sites, national coordinators, and other stakeholders. Applications are eligible if submitted between 26 November 2025 and 11 February 2026 (17:00 Brussels time).

The program aims to increase the visibility and impact of the Heritage Label across Europe. Within the framework of the funding, internal and external communication campaigns will be implemented to establish a unified visual identity and support participants in the implementation of joint projects. Capacity-building offerings include targeted training on EU project coordination and funding acquisition, as well as mentoring for smaller, rural sites. Furthermore, the measure promotes cross-border cooperation, the integration of digital innovations, and awareness-raising on sustainability and inclusion. Application documents include the call document, the application form (AF_CREA-CULT), and a detailed budget table (CREA-LSII). The funding thus ensures the long-term impact of the European Heritage Label and provides all participants with enhanced access to EU resources and networking opportunities.