New CHARTER report

The European Cultural Heritage Skills Alliance (CHARTER), funded by Erasmus+, has released a report offering a strategic roadmap for the heritage sector as it navigates an increasingly complex and constantly evolving future. This new delivery represents the final report of Work Package 4 to analyse the sector's integrated dynamics.

This report, developed on the basis of desk research, surveys and a Think Tank event held in Berlin in September 2023 with experts in the field, describes the challenges, opportunities, implications for skills and future jobs, and education and training needs to address:

- Geostrategic dynamics in terms of how heritage affects global power relations. While cultural heritage can reinforce community identity and pride, it can also be exploited or targeted for destruction. At the same time, it can serve as a tool for diplomacy, cooperation and economic and social development.
- Climate change related to human-driven activities is increasingly affecting cultural heritage. Extreme weather events such as sea level rise and heat waves are causing significant damage to historic sites, threatening not only the loss of cultural sites but also affecting jobs and the economy.
- Circular economy, which refers to using products, materials and resources for as long as possible with minimal waste. This approach not only reduces environmental impacts, but also promotes innovation and competitiveness. In the cultural heritage sector, the circular economy supports the conservation and reuse of historic buildings, artefacts and practices. Measures such as maintenance, repair and restoration help to reduce waste, while traditional crafts and techniques can inspire sustainable solutions that respect both the environment and cultural values.
- Digital technologies in relation to the digital shift that has changed the way cultural heritage is accessed, experienced and preserved. Supported by EU policies such as the Digital Agenda and initiatives such as Europeana, these technologies, including artificial intelligence and immersive experiences, make heritage more accessible and easier to preserve. As society becomes more digital, heritage organisations need to embrace these technologies to attract future audiences and ensure relevance.

The report issues clear calls for action, stressing the importance of embracing innovation, sustainability and cross-sectoral cooperation. The report underlines the need to proactively address and adapt the future scenarios analysed and provides the necessary changes to set the basis for the transition. Based on the CHARTER tools and analyses, the report calls for the adoption of a new value chain model for heritage, the development of new curriculum offerings to prepare the sector for the future and the adoption of a new competency framework for skills.
Following an integrated approach, the report serves as a roadmap for policy makers, institutions and practitioners, guiding them through the challenges and opportunities of the coming decades to ensure the resilience and sustainability of cultural heritage in Europe.

Are you equipped for future needs? Continue reading the full report in the results section of the CHARTER website to get concrete insights and recommendations to tackle the sector's current and future challenges.

- More about CHARTER Alliance: https://charter-alliance.eu/
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ABOUT THE PROJECT
CHARTER, the European Cultural Heritage Skills Alliance, brings together and represents the full spectrum of the cultural heritage sector in Europe. 47 project partners are working to demonstrate the value of cultural heritage and create a resilient and responsive sector.
CHARTER aims to create a lasting, comprehensive strategy to provide Europe with the necessary knowledge on cultural heritage to support sustainable societies and economies.
The Erasmus+-funded project maps the sector's current and future needs to bridge skills gaps and mismatches between education and careers.