program Raphael-temat nr 4

iza

The Raphael programme

Raphael was a Community action programme in the field of heritage. Adopted for four years (1997-2000) with a budget of 30 million euro, it ended in 1999. Its aim was to encourage cooperation for the protection, conservation and enhancement of Europe's cultural heritage, raising citizens' awareness of cultural heritage and facilitating their access to it. The main sectors covered by the programme were movable and immovable heritage (museums, collections, libraries and archives, including photographic, film and audio archives), archaeological and undersea heritage, architectural heritage and cultural landscapes (natural and cultural objects).
It supported a total of almost 360 projects relating to the conservation and enhancement of heritage, involving more than 1 500 operators from all over Europe. The European heritage laboratories were also supported.

European Union prize for cultural heritage

In 2001, the Commission launched a call for proposals concerning the organisation and award of an annual European prize in the area of the conservation and exploitation of cultural heritage. The Federation Europa Nostra ("awards" page) was selected following this call. The aims of the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards scheme are to promote high standards of conservation practice, to stimulate the exchange of knowledge and experience throughout Europe and to encourage further efforts through the power of example. It will achieve this by giving public recognition to outstanding initiatives and best practices by either individuals or organisations, which contribute to the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage in Europe.

European Heritage Laboratories

Action 3 of the Culture 2000 programme provides support for projects involving the conservation, restoration and enhancement of monuments and/or sites of exceptional and European importance, accessible to the general public, which contribute to the development and dissemination of innovative methods and techniques at European level and which can be described as "European heritage laboratories”.