The European Cultural Heritage Summit 2025 will take place from 12 to 15 October in Brussels, Belgium. Organised by Europa Nostra and co-funded by the European Union, the Brussels Summit will gather high-level representatives from EU Institutions, policymakers, heritage professionals and volunteers, civil society actors and other stakeholders from across Europe and beyond.
Holding this year’s European Cultural Heritage Summit in Brussels has a particular significance at a time when the European Commission is about to publish the EU’s very first “Culture Compass for Europe” and when EU Institutions and Member States have started discussing the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework Programme. This is why the Summit will be held under the motto “Heritage Matters for Europe”!
Focusing on the pivotal themes of Europe’s key values, starting with peace, democracy and solidarity, the Brussels Summit will highlight the political, societal, economic and environmental relevance of cultural heritage for the future of Europe and its citizens.
Programme
Sunday 12 October 2025
For all registered participants
European Heritage Excellence Day
13.30 – 19.00 | Auditorium 490, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels
The Excellence Day will showcase the very best heritage practices and the most inspiring heritage champions that contribute to shaping a more beautiful, cohesive, sustainable and democratic Europe. Coming from 24 countries across the continent, the 30 winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2025 will present their exemplary achievements, outline the challenges they overcame, and share experiences about the success and impact of their initiatives.
2025 Winners of the Awards © Radoszek Arts / Europa Nostra
The European Heritage Excellence Day is jointly organised by Europa Nostra and the European Commission with the support of the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
Monday 13 October 2025
For Europa Nostra Members and Associates
Europa Nostra General Assembly 2025
10.00-12.00 | KBR – Royal Library of Belgium, Brussels
During our General Assembly, several (re-) appointments to the Council and other governing bodies of Europa Nostra will be made. Members will also handle relevant statutory matters, including the approval of the Annual Report 2024.
For all registered participants and invited guests
European Heritage Awards Ceremony 2025
20.00 – 22.00 (19:15 Doors open)| Studio 4, Maison de la Radio, Flagey, Brussels
The winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2025 will be celebrated at a high-profile event, co-hosted by Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, and Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra, and attended by other distinguished guests. The European Heritage Awards Ceremony will be held at Flagey, an iconic Art Deco building in Brussels.
During the Ceremony, the Grand Prix laureates and the Public Choice Award winner will be announced, chosen from among this year’s winners and entitled to receive €10,000 each. Discover the winners and cast your vote for the Public Choice Award until 12 September.
The Ceremony, jointly organised by Europa Nostra and the European Commission with the support of the EU Creative Europe Programme, will be live streamed. It will be followed by a festive reception.
Tuesday 14 October 2025
For all registered participants
European Heritage Hub Forum
“Heritage Matters for Europe’s Cities and Citizens”
10.30 – 18.00 | Town Hall of Brussels, La Grand Place
Organised within the framework of the EU-funded European Heritage Hub project, this high-level forum at the Town Hall of Brussels, one of the most emblematic buildings in the Belgian capital which is also one of the capital cities of EU decision-making, will bring together representatives of EU Institutions, local authorities, civil society organisations and heritage professionals for a strategic policy dialogue.
La Grand Place, with the historic Town Hall of Brussels © Catarina Belova / Shutterstock
The European Heritage Hub Forum “Heritage Matters for Europe’s Cities and Citizens” will focus on how the forthcoming “Culture Compass for Europe” and the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034) can more effectively support community-rooted heritage, cultural rights and democratic participation across Europe. As one of the key events of this year’s Summit, the Hub Forum will offer a unique opportunity to guide and inspire the future direction of Europe’s heritage policy, at all levels of governance, from local to European.
The latest version of the Programme of the Hub Forum can be read here.
Join this important Forum and lend your voice to shaping heritage policy discussions that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of Europe’s communities and heritage stakeholders.
Wednesday 15 October 2025
For all registered participants
European Heritage Policy Agora
“The Europeans: Shared Cultural Roots and Values”
including Europa Nostra Lecture by Orlando Figes & Dialogue with MEPs
09.00 – 13.30 | Zweig Visitor Centre, European Parliament
Organised within the framework of the EU-funded Agora project, this event will offer a most inspiring platform to (re)discover and celebrate Europe’s shared cultural roots and values. This year’s Policy Agora will bring together historians, policymakers, civil society and cultural leaders to explore how Europe’s rich and diverse heritage can foster unity amid diversity and address contemporary challenges.
Featuring a Europa Nostra Annual Lecture by the renowned British historian Orlando Figes, an expert panel discussion with Members of the European Parliament, and a screening of the documentary “Une saga de l’Europe culturelle, au cœur du XIXe siècle” (ARTE TV, Bel Air Média, Centre Européen de Musique, and Centre d’Études d’Europe Hispanique), the Policy Agora will highlight the vital role of culture and history in shaping European identity and strengthening the European project.
The latest version of the Programme of the Agora can be read here.
Join this flagship eventt, jointly organised by Europa Nostra and the European Parliament, and engage in the conversation on how cultural heritage can build much-needed bridges between Europe’s citizens — across borders and generations.
Zweig Visitor Centre, European Parliament © European Union 2022 – Source: EP
The Brussels Summit is organised in the frame of the projects Europa Nostra Heritage Agora, European Heritage Hub and European Heritage Awards co-funded by the European Union.
The Brussels Summit visual identity takes inspiration from the yellow iris as the floral emblem of Brussels and embodies the colour palette of the flag of the European Union. © Radoszek Arts / Europa Nostra
