On June 12 the European Commission and Europa Nostra announced the 2025 winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, which are co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, with 30 outstanding winners from 24 countries across the continent.
Europa Nostra writes:
The 2025 winners exemplify the creativity and innovation demonstrated across Europe in efforts to safeguard and promote the unity in diversity of our rich heritage. This year’s edition of the Awards features an impressive range of winners across its five categories: from a remarkable restoration of an Art Nouveau landmark in Belgium combining traditional craftsmanship with technical innovation; to a ground-breaking research programme in Norway documenting half of the world’s glacial archaeological findings; from an innovative initiative supporting the sustainable upkeep of built heritage in Slovakia; to a successful educational project in Serbia that reimagined a beloved children’s poem through co-creation with children and students, promoting intergenerational dialogue and inclusivity; and to a heritage champion who has dedicated her career to preserving the built heritage of Greenland, Denmark. Heritage supporters and enthusiasts are now encouraged to discover the winners and vote online to decide who will win the Public Choice Award 2025, which is entitled to receive a monetary award of €10,000. Votes can be cast until 12 September.
The winners were selected by the Awards’ Jury, composed of 11 heritage experts from across Europe, upon evaluation of the applications by the Selection Committees. A total of 251 eligible applications to this year’s Awards were submitted by organisations and individuals from 41 European countries. Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, said: ‘Europe stands as a global cultural powerhouse. It is our duty and responsibility to ensure future generations can experience the richness and diversity of our heritage. The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards not only reflect how cultural heritage is deeply valued in Europe, but they also celebrate and honour this legacy and the ongoing efforts of cultural professionals and volunteers working across the continent to safeguard and promote it. By advancing inclusivity, fostering solidarity, promoting international cooperation, and encouraging intergenerational dialogue, they embody the very essence of our European values. Congratulations to the winners for their outstanding achievements and essential contributions.’
Cecilia Bartoli, the world-renowned mezzo-soprano and President of Europa Nostra, stated: ‘I warmly congratulate this year’s winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards on their well-deserved recognition. These inspiring initiatives demonstrate how cultural heritage can be a powerful force for positive change in Europe – strengthening communities, supporting well-being, fuelling creativity, and contributing to economic resilience. Cultural heritage connects people across generations and borders. It brings Europe’s citizens closer together, united in our rich diversity. It brings beauty and meaning to our daily lives, and shows how it can help shape a more sustainable and inclusive future.’
The winners will be celebrated at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony 2025 on 13 October at Flagey, an iconic Art Deco building, in Brussels, Belgium. This high-profile event will feature the participation of European Commissioner Glenn Micallef and Europa Nostra’s Executive President Hermann Parzinger. During the ceremony, the Grand Prix laureates and the Public Choice Award winner will be announced, chosen from among this year’s winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards and entitled to receive €10,000 each.
The ceremony will be a highlight of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2025, which will take place from 12 to 14 October in Brussels. In a complex geopolitical context, the Summit will also provide a timely opportunity to give visibility and resonance to the upcoming Cultural Compass of the European Union, and to advocate for the political, societal, environmental and economic value of cultural heritage for the future of Europe. The Summit is organised by Europa Nostra and co-funded by the European Union.
