On March 9th 2010 the European Commission has proposed to establish the 'European Heritage Label' as an EU-wide initiative. The Commission's proposal builds on a 2006 intergovernmental project that awarded this label for the first time to a number of sites, including the archaeological park of Ename.

Expanding the European Heritage Label into an initiative of the European Union will give it greater credibility, visibility and prestige. The proposed EU European Heritage Label differs from other cultural heritage initiatives such as the UNESCO World Heritage List or the Council of Europe's 'European Cultural Routes' because it would:

- designate sites which have played a key role in the history of the European Union.

- choose sites on the basis of their European symbolic value rather than for their beauty or architectural quality.

- stress the educational dimension, especially for young people.

 
Click here for the press release of the European Commission.