Special Actions and Awards
To enhance the visibility of Europe’s cultural and audiovisual sectors, the European Commission supports a variety of initiatives, actions, and prizes. These are designed to recognize outstanding achievements, highlight artistic and cultural excellence, and raise public awareness of Europe’s rich cultural heritage. Through these initiatives, the Creative Europe Programme celebrates creativity, diversity, and innovation across Europe, while promoting a shared sense of identity and cultural belonging.
Since 2013, the European Heritage Label has been highlighting key milestones that have shaped European history, from the earliest days of civilization to the formation of contemporary Europe. These sites symbolize shared values, historical turning points, and cultural contributions that are central to the European identity. The European Heritage Labels can be explored individually or as part of thematic networks, offering a deep appreciation of the scope and richness of Europe's cultural and historical heritage. Every two years, participating countries pre-select up to two sites at the national level, which are then submitted for final evaluation and potential designation.
📄 The full list of sites awarded the European Heritage Label is available here.
Since its launch in 1985, the European Capitals of Culture initiative has aimed to:
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Celebrate the cultural richness and diversity of Europe;
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Highlight the cultural characteristics Europeans share;
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Strengthen the sense of belonging to a common cultural space;
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Promote the contribution of culture to the sustainable development of cities.
In addition to these goals, experience has shown that holding the title of European Capital of Culture can help regenerate cities and revitalize local communities; enhance international visibility; improve the image of the city in the eyes of its residents; breathe new life into the local cultural scene; stimulate cultural tourism.
Each EU Member State eligible to host the title issues a call for applications six years in advance, typically coordinated by its Ministry of Culture. Interested cities submit proposals that are assessed by an independent panel of cultural experts, based on pre-established criteria.
Following a pre-selection phase, a shortlist of candidate cities is drawn up, which are then invited to submit more detailed bids. The panel makes its final recommendation and one city per host country is formally designated the European Capital of Culture.
Cities are officially awarded the title four years before the designated year to ensure sufficient time for preparation and planning. During this time, the European Commission and the expert panel continue to support and monitor the cities' progress.
At the end of the process, cities may receive the Melina Mercouri Prize (currently €1.5 million), funded by the Creative Europe programme, based on the successful implementation of their cultural programme.
More information and updates: European Capitals of Culture Portal.
The European Heritage Days are the most widely celebrated participatory cultural event shared by the people of Europe. The Council of Europe launched the initiative in 1985, and in 1999 was joined by the European Union to create the joint action, which has continued up to the present day. Conceivably, the Programme, which can boast up to 20 million visitors every year, generates the greatest value, Euro for Euro, of any “European” cultural project.
Held in September each year, EHD events – often called Heritage Open Days - take place in the countries party to the European Cultural Convention. During this time, doors are opened to numerous monuments and sites, allowing Europe’s citizens to enjoy free visits and learn about their shared cultural heritage and encouraging them to become actively involved in the safeguard and enhancement of this heritage for present and future generations.
More information and updates here.
European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL)
The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) is an annual initiative aimed at recognizing the best emerging fiction writers in Europe. Launched by the European Commission in 2009, the prize is open to all countries participating in the Creative Europe programme. The award is managed by a consortium composed of the European Booksellers Federation, the European Writers’ Council, and the Federation of European Publishers.
Objectives of the Prize:
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To highlight the creativity and diversity of contemporary European literature;
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To promote the wider circulation and translation of European literary works across borders;
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To encourage cross-border book sales;
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To stimulate interest in publishing, selling, and reading non-national (translated) literature.
Each year, national juries from one-third of the participating countries nominate authors under the coordination of the consortium. This rotation ensures that all countries and languages are represented over a three-year cycle. A European jury then selects one winner per country from among the nominees, based on the eligibility criteria established by the European Commission.
📘 For more information, please visit the official website of the European Union Prize for Literature.
European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards
The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards were established by the European Commission in 2002 and have since been implemented in partnership with Europa Nostra. The awards are funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union. Countries associated with the Creative Europe programme are also eligible to receive the European Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards.
Outstanding architects, craftspeople, cultural heritage professionals, experts and volunteers, as well as representatives of public and private institutions and local communities across Europe, are invited to apply and be recognized for their achievements in the field of cultural heritage. In addition to receiving the award, laureates benefit from increased national and international visibility, a boost in visitor numbers, and enhanced access to funding. Applications are launched annually.
📌 Full information on the awards and the application procedure is available here.
European Union Prize for Contemprorary Architecture (Mies van der Rohe Award)
The European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award is a prestigious biennial prize co-financed by the Creative Europe programme and the Mies van der Rohe Foundation. The prize aims to recognize and reward outstanding and innovative achievements in the field of contemporary architecture in Europe. The award also includes a Special Mention for Emerging Architect, granted to a unique architectural work by a promising young professional.
It is jointly organized by the European Commission and the Barcelona-based Mies van der Rohe Foundation, with the support of a network of 15 architectural institutions and a committee of experts from 31 countries.
The main prize is worth €60,000, and the Special Mention is €20,000. Awarded projects are recognized for their conceptual depth, innovation, and excellence in construction techniques. Winners also receive a symbolic sculpture inspired by the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona.
The main goal of the Prize is to promote excellence in architecture by highlighting the contributions of European professionals to the development of new architectural ideas, methods, and technologies.
For more information about the Prize and the Special Mention, including the list of past winners, please visit the official award website.
The Music Moves Europe Talent Awards are the European Union’s contemporary music prize, continuing the legacy of the former European Border Breakers Awards (EBBA). This award celebrates and promotes emerging European artists who embody the sound of Europe today and tomorrow.
Each year, 24 outstanding artists are nominated for the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards. An international jury selects two winners from each of the six music genres: pop, rock, electronic, R&B/urban, Hip-Hop/Rap, singer/songwriter. The 12 winning artists receive a live performance at ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) in Groningen, the Netherlands, a customized training programme, financial support for touring and promotion. In addition, all winners compete for the Public Choice Award, announced during the awards ceremony at ESNS.
The awards are jointly organized by ESNS (Eurosonic) and the Reeperbahn Festival, in collaboration with the following partners: Yourope, IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association), IMMF (International Music Managers Forum), Liveurope, Live DMA, EMEE (European Music Exporters Exchange), DME (Digital Music Europe), EBU (European Broadcasting Union – media partner). The initiative is implemented in close cooperation with the European Commission and co-financed by the Creative Europe programme.
To learn more about the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards, visit the official website here.