H2020 to include cultural funding, says EP
A European Parliament committee has approved an amendment to include ‘cultural heritage’ as part of Horizon 2020.
Members of the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee agreed to the change at a meeting discussing the ‘Council decision establishing the Specific Programme Implementing Horizon 2020’ legislative proposal. The change follows a petition from more than 6,000 gallery and museum staff in Europe to see cultural heritage included in Horizon 2020.
Welcoming the news, Nick Poole, CEO of the Collections Trust in the UK, commented: “This is a tremendous step forward and a real recognition of the contribution the cultural heritage community makes to securing Europe’s position as a global leader in research and innovation.”
However, Poole warned that more work needed to be done: “In order to secure this very significant financial opportunity for our museums, galleries, libraries and archives, we have to hope that negotiations over the EU budget will be concluded quickly.”
According to the committee’s report of amendments, the change will see ‘cultural industries including cultural heritage and tourism’ included in Horizon 2020.
Commenting on the change, Spanish MEP Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines said: “We have achieved this result due to the active and continuous support of the cultural heritage community through their work, letters and recommendations.”
Last year, the International Council of Monuments and Sites wrote to the European Parliament, Council and Commission expressing concern that cultural heritage had been omitted from Horizon 2020.
The bill, one of four concerning the new framework programme, is currently in the first reading of the ordinary legislative process in the European Parliament.
