Our contribution to the European Heritage Label evaluation
The European Heritage Label (EHL) 2018–2024 evaluation report is now available on the European Union website. Promoted by the European Commission to assess the development, implementation, and impact of the Label, the study includes the contribution of Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini, which curated the Italy country case study and a thematic case study on transnational collaboration.
The European Heritage Label highlights sites that celebrate and symbolise European ideals, values, history, and integration. Since 2013, these sites have been selected not only for their historical and cultural significance but also for their strong educational and outreach activities.
The ultimate goal of the EHL is to strengthen citizens' sense of belonging to the European Union, foster intercultural dialogue, and promote cultural tourism with related economic benefits
As part of the evaluation, FGB curated:
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the Italy country case study, one of four national studies (together with Finland, the Netherlands, and Poland) designed to analyse implementation at both national and site levels;
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a thematic case study on transnational collaboration, exploring how EHL sites work together across borders to strengthen European identity.
These case studies provided an in-depth perspective on how the Label is applied in different contexts and contributed to the overall assessment of national engagement, site-level achievements, and the European dimension of participation.
The evaluation confirmed that the 60 labelled sites continue to meet the criteria of the award, thanks to strong local teams and partnerships. Best practices were identified in cross-site collaboration, sustainability and digital innovation, and youth education programmes.
The report also presented the Budapest Recommendations (October 2024), which call for more tailored support to small and remote sites, improved digital tools, and stronger strategic alignment across the network.
