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22.11.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union
L
303/1
I
(Legislative acts)
DECISIONS
DECISION No 1194/2011/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 16 November 2011
establishing a European Union action for the European Heritage Label
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
belonging to the Union and reinforce intercultural
EUROPEAN UNION,
dialogue. It is therefore important to promote greater
access to cultural heritage and to enhance its European
dimension.
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Union, and in particular Article 167(5), first indent, thereof,
(3) The
TFEU
also
establishes
citizenship
of
the
Union,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
which complements national citizenship of the respective
Member States and is an important element in safe
guarding and strengthening the process of European inte
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national
gration. For citizens to give their full support to
parliaments,
European integration, greater emphasis should be
placed on their common values, history and culture as
key elements of their membership of a society founded
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the
on the principles of freedom, democracy, respect for
Regions (
human rights, cultural and linguistic diversity, tolerance

1 ),
and solidarity.
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure ( 2 ),
(4) An
intergovernmental
European
Heritage
Label
initiative
Whereas:
(‘intergovernmental initiative’) was launched on 28 April
2006 in Granada, Spain.
(1) The
Treaty
on
the
Functioning
of
the
European
Union
(TFEU) aims at an ever closer union among the peoples
of Europe and confers on the Union the task, inter alia,
(5) On
20
November
2008,
the
Council
adopted
of contributing to the flowering of the cultures of the
conclusions ( 3 ) aimed at transforming the intergovern
Member States, while respecting their national and
mental initiative into a Union action (‘action’) by
regional diversity and at the same time bringing the
inviting the Commission to submit to it a proposal for
common cultural heritage to the fore. In this respect,
the creation by the Union of a European Heritage Label
the Union, where necessary, supports and supplements
(‘label’) and to specify the practical procedures for the
Member States’ action to improve the knowledge and
implementation of the project.
dissemination of the culture and history of the
European peoples.
(6) The
public
consultation
and
the
impact
assessment
(2) A
better
understanding
and
appreciation,
especially
carried out by the Commission confirmed the value of
among young people, of their shared yet diverse
the intergovernmental initiative but indicated that it
heritage would help to strengthen the sense of
needed to be further developed to reach its full potential,
and that the involvement of the Union could provide it
( 1 ) OJ C 267, 1.10.2010, p. 52.
with a clear added value and help it to take a qualitative
( 2 ) Position of the European Parliament of 16 December 2010 (not yet
step forward.
published in the Official Journal) and position of the Council at first
reading of 19 July 2011. Position of the European Parliament of
16 November 2011.
( 3 ) OJ C 319, 13.12.2008, p. 11.

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L 303/2
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
22.11.2011
(7) The
label
should
benefit
from
the
experience
gained
from (13) In the course of the first evaluation of the action, the
the intergovernmental initiative.
widening of its geographical scope should be examined.
(14) Where
there
is
a
clear
thematic
link
between
several
sites
(8) The
label
should
seek
added
value
and
complementarity
with regard to other initiatives such as the Unesco World
located in one Member State, the action should allow for
Heritage List, the Unesco Representative List of the
joint applications. Such joint applications should
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the
comprise a reasonable number of participating sites and
Council of Europe’s European Cultural Routes. Its
demonstrate a European added value compared to indi
added value should be based on the contribution made
vidual applications in respect of the same sites.
by the selected sites to European history and culture,
including the building of the Union, on a clear
educational dimension reaching out to citizens, especially
young people, and on networking between the sites to
(15) Similarly, by reason of the transnational dimension of
share experiences and best practices. The main focus of
certain sites, the action should allow for joint appli
the action should be on the promotion of and access to
cations both in the case of sites which are located in
the sites as well as on the quality of the information and
different Member States but focus on one specific
activities offered, as opposed to the preservation of the
theme and in the case of a site located on the territory
sites, which should be guaranteed by existing protection
of at least two Member States.
regimes.
(16) In
order
to
ensure
uniform
conditions
for
the
implemen
(9) In
addition
to
strengthening
European
citizens’
sense
of
tation of this Decision and, in particular, the provisions
belonging to the Union and stimulating intercultural
concerning the designation of sites to be awarded the
dialogue, the action could also contribute to enhancing
label, the withdrawal of the label and the formalisation
the value and profile of cultural heritage, to increasing
of the renunciation of the label, implementing powers
the role of heritage in the economic and sustainable
should be conferred on the Commission.
development of regions, in particular through cultural
tourism, to fostering synergies between cultural heritage
and contemporary creation and creativity and, more
generally, to promoting the democratic values and
(17) The
administrative
arrangements
for
the
label
should
be
human rights that underpin European integration.
light and flexible, in accordance with the principle of
subsidiarity.
(10) Those objectives are fully in line with the objectives set
out in the Commission communication entitled ‘A
(18) Since the objectives of this Decision cannot be
European agenda for culture in a globalizing world’,
sufficiently achieved by the Member States by reason of
which include the promotion of cultural diversity and
the need, in particular, for new common, clear and trans
intercultural dialogue as well as of culture as a catalyst
parent criteria and procedures for the label, as well as for
for creativity.
stronger coordination between the Member States, and
can therefore be better achieved at Union level, the
Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the
principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the
Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the
(11) It is crucial that the label be awarded on the basis of
principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article,
common, clear and transparent criteria and procedures,
this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in
including during the first two selection years when tran
order to achieve those objectives,
sitional provisions should apply.
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
(12) The
procedure
for
the
selection
of
sites
under
the
action
should be carried out in two stages. Sites should initially
be pre-selected at national level. Whenever relevant,
Member States could involve local and regional
Article 1
authorities. The selection should then take place at
Establishment
Union level. Each site awarded the label should be
monitored in order to ensure continued compliance
A European Union action (‘action’) entitled ‘European Heritage
with the criteria as laid down for the label.
Label’ (‘label’) is hereby established.

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EN
22.11.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union
L
303/3
Article 2
3. The
sites
themselves
shall
seek
to
attain
the
following
specific objectives:
Definitions
For the purposes of this Decision, the following definitions shall
apply:
(a) highlighting their European significance;
(1) ‘sites’ means monuments, natural, underwater, archae
(b) raising European citizens’ awareness of their common
ological, industrial or urban sites, cultural landscapes,
cultural heritage, especially that of young people;
places of remembrance, cultural goods and objects and
intangible heritage associated with a place, including
contemporary heritage;
(c) facilitating the sharing of experiences and exchanges of best
practices across the Union;
(2) ‘transnational site’ means:
(d) increasing and/or improving access for all, especially young
people;
(a) several sites, located in different Member States, which
focus on one specific theme in order to submit a joint
application; or
(e) increasing intercultural dialogue, especially among young
people, through artistic, cultural and historical education;
(b) one site located on the territory of at least two Member
States;
(f) fostering synergies between cultural heritage on one hand
and contemporary creation and creativity on the other;
(3) ‘national thematic site’ means several sites, located in the
same Member State, which focus on one specific theme in
(g) contributing to the attractiveness and the economic and
order to submit a joint application.
sustainable development of regions, in particular through
cultural tourism.
Article 3
Objectives
Article 4
1. The
action
shall
contribute
to
the
following
general
Participation in the action
objectives:
The action shall be open to the participation, on a voluntary
basis, of the Member States.
(a) strengthening European citizens’ sense of belonging to the
Union, in particular that of young people, based on shared
Article 5
values and elements of European history and cultural
heritage, as well as an appreciation of national and
Added value and complementarity of the action with other
regional diversity;
initiatives
The Commission and the Member States shall ensure the added
value and complementarity of the action with regard to other
(b) strengthening intercultural dialogue.
initiatives in the field of cultural heritage such as the Unesco
World Heritage List, the Unesco Representative List of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the Council of
2. In
order
to
achieve
the
objectives
set
out
in
paragraph
1, Europe’s European Cultural Routes.
the action shall seek to attain the following intermediate
objectives:
Article 6
Eligibility
(a) stressing the symbolic value and raising the profile of sites
which have played a significant role in the history and
Sites within the meaning of Article 2 shall be eligible for the
culture of Europe and/or the building of the Union;
attribution of the label.
(b) increasing European citizens’ understanding of the history of
Article 7
Europe and the building of the Union, and of their common
Criteria
yet diverse cultural heritage, especially in relation to the
democratic values and human rights that underpin the
1. The
attribution
of
the
label
shall
be
based
on
the
process of European integration.
following criteria (‘criteria’):

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L 303/4
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Official Journal of the European Union
22.11.2011
(a) Candidate sites for the label must have a symbolic European
encourage linkage between heritage and contemporary
value and must have played a significant role in the history
creation and creativity is to be welcomed whenever the
and culture of Europe and/or the building of the Union.
specific nature of the site allows this.
They must therefore demonstrate one or more of the
following:
(c) Candidate sites for the label must submit a work plan which
includes all of the following elements:
(i) their cross-border or pan-European nature: how their
past and present influence and attraction go beyond
the national borders of a Member State;
(i) ensuring the sound management of the site, including
defining objectives and indicators;
(ii) their place and role in European history and European
(ii) ensuring the preservation of the site and its trans
integration, and their links with key European events,
mission to future generations in accordance with the
personalities or movements;
relevant protection regimes;
(iii) their place and role in the development and promotion
(iii) ensuring the quality of the reception facilities such as
of the common values that underpin European inte
the historical presentation, visitors’ information and
gration.
signposting;
(iv) ensuring access for the widest possible public, inter
(b) Candidate sites for the label must submit a project, the
alia, through site adaptations or staff training;
implementation of which is to begin by the end of the
designation year at the latest, which includes all of the
following elements:
(v) according special attention to young people, in
particular by granting them privileged access to the
site;
(i) raising awareness of the European significance of the
site, in particular through appropriate information
activities, signposting and staff training;
(vi) promoting the site as a sustainable tourism desti
nation;
(ii) organising educational activities, especially for young
(vii) developing a coherent and comprehensive communi
people, which increase the understanding of the
cation strategy highlighting the European significance
common history of Europe and of its shared yet
of the site;
diverse heritage and which strengthen the sense of
belonging to a common space;
(viii) ensuring that the management of the site is as envi
ronmentally friendly as possible.
(iii) promoting multilingualism and facilitating access to the
site by using several languages of the Union;
2. As
regards
the
criteria
laid
down
in
points
(b)
and
(c)
of
paragraph 1, each site shall be assessed in a proportionate
manner, taking into account its characteristics.
(iv) taking part in the activities of networks of sites awarded
the label in order to exchange experiences and initiate
common projects;
Article 8
European panel
(v) raising the profile and attractiveness of the site on a
1. A
European
panel
of
independent
experts
(‘European
European scale, inter alia, by using the possibilities
panel’) shall be established to carry out the selection and moni
offered by new technologies and digital and interactive
toring at Union level. It shall ensure that the criteria are
means and by seeking synergies with other European
properly applied by the sites across the Member States.
initiatives.
2. The
European
panel
shall
consist
of
13
members,
four
of
whom shall be appointed by the European Parliament, four by
The organisation of artistic and cultural activities which
the Council, four by the Commission and one by the
foster the mobility of European culture professionals,
Committee of the Regions, in accordance with their respective
artists and collections, stimulate intercultural dialogue and
procedures. The European panel shall designate its chairperson.

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22.11.2011 Official
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European
Union
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3. The
members
of
the
European
panel
shall
be
independent 5. The
Commission
shall
publish
the
full
list
of
pre-selected
experts with substantial experience and expertise in the fields
sites and shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and
relevant to the objectives of the action. Each institution and
the Committee of the Regions thereof without delay after the
body shall seek to ensure that the competences of the experts
finalisation of the pre-selection stage, so that the European
it appoints are as complementary as possible, and that those
Parliament, the Council, the Committee of the Regions, the
experts are drawn from a balanced geographical spectrum.
Member States or any other person or entity may submit to
the Commission any observation which could have an impact
on the selection of those sites.
4. The
members
of
the
European
panel
shall
be
appointed
for three years.
Article 11
Selection at Union level
However, in 2012 four experts shall be appointed by the
European Parliament for two years, four by the Council for
1. The selection of sites for the attribution of the label shall
three years, four by the Commission for one year and one by
be carried out by the European panel under the responsibility of
the Committee of the Regions for three years.
the Commission.
5. The
members
of
the
European
panel
shall
declare
any 2. The
European
panel
shall
evaluate
the
applications
relating
actual or potential conflict of interest in respect of a specific
to the pre-selected sites and shall select a maximum of one site
site. In the event of such a declaration by a member, or if such
per Member State. If necessary, further information may be
a conflict of interest comes to light, that member shall not
requested and visits to the sites may be organised.
participate in the evaluation of the site or of any other sites
from the Member State(s) concerned.
3. The
selection
shall
be
based
on
the
criteria
and
on
the
application form. The European panel shall also take duly into
6. All
reports,
recommendations
and
notifications
of
the account the observations referred to in Article 10(5).
European panel shall be made public by the Commission.
4. The European panel shall issue a report on the pre-
Article 9
selected sites and transmit it to the Commission at the latest
by the end of the year of the selection procedure. That report
Application form
shall include a recommendation for the attribution of the label
With a view to keeping procedures as streamlined and light as
and provide an accompanying explanation for its conclusions
possible, a common application form (‘application form’) based
regarding those sites which are selected and those which are
on the criteria shall be prepared by the Commission and used
not. The Commission shall forward that report without delay to
by all candidate sites.
the European Parliament, the Council and the Committee of the
Regions for information.
Article 10
5. Candidate
sites
which
are
not
selected
may
submit
new
Pre-selection at national level
applications for pre-selection at national level in the following
years.
1. The pre-selection of sites for the attribution of the label
shall be under the responsibility of the Member States.
Article 12
2. Each
Member
State
may
pre-select
up
to
two
sites
every
Transnational sites
two years.
1. In
order
for
a
transnational
site
to
be
eligible
for
the
attribution of the label, it shall comply with all of the
following conditions:
3. The
pre-selection
shall
be
based
on
the
criteria
and
on
the
application form.
(a) full compliance with the criteria by each participating site;
4. Each
participating
Member
State
shall
establish
its
own
procedures and its own calendar for the pre-selection in
accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, striving for admin
(b) designation of one of the participating sites as the coor
istrative arrangements that are as light and flexible as possible. It
dinator, which will be the single contact point for the
shall transmit the application forms in respect of the pre-
Commission;
selected sites to the Commission by 1 March of the year of
the selection procedure, in accordance with the calendar set out
in the Annex.
(c) application under a common name;

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Official Journal of the European Union
22.11.2011
(d) where appropriate, demonstration of a clear thematic link.
Article 14
Designation
2. Applications
in
respect
of
transnational
sites
shall
follow 1. The
Commission
shall
designate
the
sites
to
be
awarded
the same procedure as that for other sites. Following consul
the label, having due regard to the recommendation of the
tation among the participating sites with the involvement of
European panel. The Commission shall inform the European
relevant national authorities, each participating site shall
Parliament, the Council and the Committee of the Regions of
complete an application form and send it to the coordinator.
its designation.
Transnational sites shall be pre-selected by the Member State of
the coordinator within the numerical limits of sites laid down in
Article 10(2) and proposed on behalf of all the Member States
concerned after those Member States have agreed thereon.
2. The
label
shall
be
awarded
on
a
permanent
basis,
subject
to the conditions laid down in Article 15 and to the
continuation of the action and without prejudice to Article 16.
3. When
a
transnational
site
is
selected,
the
label
shall
be
awarded to the transnational site as a whole and under the
common name.
Article 15
Monitoring
4. If
a
transnational
site
meets
all
the
criteria,
priority
shall 1. Each
site
awarded
the
label
shall
be
monitored
on
a
be given to that site during the selection.
regular basis in order to ensure that it continues to meet the
criteria and that it respects the project and work plan submitted
in its application.
Article 13
National thematic sites
1. In order for a national thematic site to be eligible for the
2. The
Member
States
shall
be
responsible
for
the
monitoring
attribution of the label, it shall comply with all of the following
of all sites located on their respective territory. The monitoring
conditions:
of a transnational site shall be the responsibility of the Member
State of the coordinator.
(a) demonstration of the European added value of a joint appli
cation compared to individual applications;
3. The
Member
States
shall
collect
all
the
necessary
information and prepare a report every four years in accordance
with the calendar set out in the Annex. The Member States shall
(b) demonstration of a clear thematic link;
send the report to the Commission by 1 March of the year of
the monitoring procedure. The Commission shall submit the
report to the European panel for examination.
(c) full compliance with the criteria by each participating site;
4.
The European panel shall issue a report on the state of the
(d) designation of one of the participating sites as the coor
sites awarded the label by the end of the year of the monitoring
dinator, which will be the single contact point for the
procedure, including if necessary recommendations to be taken
Commission;
into account for the following monitoring period.
(e) application under a common name.
5. The
Commission
shall
establish,
in
cooperation
with
the
European panel, common indicators for the Member States to
ensure a coherent approach to the monitoring procedure.
2. Applications
in
respect
of
national
thematic
sites
shall
follow the same procedure as that for other sites. Each partici
pating site shall complete an application form and send it to the
coordinator. National thematic sites shall be pre-selected by the
Article 16
Member State concerned within the numerical limits of sites laid
down in Article 10(2).
Withdrawal or renunciation of the label
1. If
the
European
panel
establishes
that
a
site
no
longer
meets the criteria or that it no longer respects the project and
3.
When a national thematic site is selected, the label shall be
work plan submitted in its application, it shall initiate a
awarded to the national thematic site as a whole and under the
dialogue with the Member State concerned via the Commission,
common name.
with a view to facilitating the necessary adjustments to the site.

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2. If, 18 months after the beginning of the dialogue, the
(c) in the light of the objectives and criteria, establish guidelines
necessary adjustments have not been made to the site, the
to assist with the selection and monitoring procedures in
European panel shall notify the Commission of that fact. The
close cooperation with the European panel;
notification shall be accompanied by a statement of reasons and
shall include practical recommendations on how to improve the
situation.
(d) provide support to the European panel.
3. If,
18
months
after
the
notification
referred
to
in
paragraph 2, the practical recommendations have not been
2. The
Commission
shall
be
responsible
for
communicating
implemented, the European panel shall issue a recommendation
information concerning the label and ensuring its visibility at
to the Commission for the withdrawal of the label from the
Union level, in particular by setting up and maintaining a
relevant site.
specific website. The Commission shall also ensure the
creation of a logo for the action.
4. If
the
European
panel
establishes
that
a
site
participating 3. The Commission shall foster networking activities
in a transnational site or a national thematic site no longer
between the sites awarded the label.
meets the criteria or that it no longer respects the project and
work plan submitted in its application, the procedure set out in
paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall apply. Withdrawal pursuant to this
paragraph shall apply to the transnational site or national
4. The actions under paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article, as
thematic site in its entirety. However, in cases where the
well as the costs of the European panel, shall be financed
coherence of the transnational site or national thematic site
through the financial envelope provided for in Article 20.
will not be undermined, the European panel may recommend
limiting the withdrawal to the participating site concerned.
Article 18
Evaluation
5. The
Commission
shall
take
the
decision
to
withdraw
the
label having due regard to the recommendation referred to in
1. The
Commission
shall
ensure
the
external
and
inde
paragraph 3. The Commission shall inform the European
pendent evaluation of the action. Such evaluation shall take
Parliament, the Council and the Committee of the Regions of
place every six years in accordance with the calendar set out
the withdrawal.
in the Annex and shall examine all elements, including the
efficiency of the processes involved in running the action, the
number of sites, the impact of the action, the widening of its
geographical scope, how it could be improved and whether it
should be continued.
6. Sites
may
at
any
time
renounce
the
label
and,
in
such
cases, they shall notify the Member States concerned which
shall in turn inform the Commission of the renunciation. The
Commission shall formalise the renunciation and inform the
2. The
Commission
shall
present
a
report
on
the
evaluation
European Parliament, the Council and the Committee of the
provided for in paragraph 1 to the European Parliament, the
Regions to that effect.
Council and the Committee of the Regions within six months
of its finalisation, accompanied, if appropriate, by relevant
proposals.
Article 17
Practical arrangements
Article 19
1. The
Commission
shall
implement
the
action.
It
shall
in
Transitional provisions
particular:
1. Member
States
which
did
not
participate
in
the
intergov
ernmental European Heritage Label initiative of 2006 (‘inter
governmental initiative’) may pre-select up to four sites in
2013 for the attribution of the label.
(a) ensure the overall coherence and quality of the action;
2. Member
States
which
participated
in
the
intergovern
mental initiative may pre-select up to four sites in 2014 for
(b) ensure coordination between the Member States and the
the attribution of the label. They may propose sites which were
European panel;
already awarded a label within the intergovernmental initiative.

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3. All sites referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be
2. The
annual
appropriations
shall
be
authorised
by
the
assessed by the European panel on the basis of the same
budgetary authority within the limits of the multiannual
criteria and follow the same procedure as those for other sites.
financial framework.
Article 21
4. Where
one
of
the
sites
referred
to
in
paragraphs
1
and
2
does not meet the criteria or if further information is needed,
Entry into force
the European panel shall initiate a dialogue with the Member
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following its
State concerned via the Commission in order to examine
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
whether the application can be improved before a decision is
taken. Visits to the site may be organised if necessary.
Done at Strasbourg, 16 November 2011.
Article 20
Financial provisions
For the European Parliament
For the Council
1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the
action during the period from 1 January 2012 to
The President
The President
31 December 2013 is set at EUR 650 000.
J. BUZEK
W. SZCZUKA

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22.11.2011 Official
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European
Union
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ANNEX
Calendar
Year
2011 Entry
into
force
of
the
Decision
Preparatory work
2012 Preparatory
work
2013
First selection of sites for the Member States which did not participate in the inter
governmental initiative
2014
First selection of sites for the Member States which participated in the intergovern
mental initiative
2015 Selection
2016 Monitoring
2017 Selection
2018 Evaluation
of
the
label
2019 Selection
2020 Monitoring
2021 Selection
2022
—
2023 Selection
2024 Monitoring
Evaluation of the label
2025 Selection
…
…

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