About
The 7 Most Endangered Programme is run by Europa Nostra – the leading European heritage civil society network – in partnership with the European Investment Bank Institute. It is supported by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, through the network project Europa Nostra Heritage Agora.
Since its launch in 2013, the 7 Most Endangered Programme has become a key civil society initiative dedicated to saving Europe’s heritage at risk. It acts as a catalyst for mobilising expertise, halting unsuitable or unsustainable development, and/or ensuring necessary public and private support, including funding. Each selected site is eligible for an EIB Heritage Grant of €10,000 to assist in implementing an agreed activity that will contribute to the site’s preservation.
Sites
Since 2013, 70 threatened monuments and heritage sites from 33 countries across Europe have been selected. The first list was published in 2013, the second list in 2014, the third list in 2016, the fourth list in 2018, the fifth list in 2020, the sixth list in 2021, the seventh list in 2022, the eighth list in 2023, the ninth list in 2024 and the tenth list in 2025.
In addition, in 2016, the Venice Lagoon in Italy was declared as THE most endangered heritage site in Europe; and in 2022, the Board of Europa Nostra declared the rich and diverse heritage in Ukraine as THE most endangered heritage in the whole of Europe.
Nominations
Nominations are welcome from:
– Public and private organisations active in the heritage field, registered in a country that is a member of the Council of Europe; or
– Individual members of such organisations, who are permanent residents in a Council of Europe member country.
Each valid nomination must include at least 2 letters of support (in English) from public or private heritage organisations, including at least one from a Europa Nostra Member or Associate Organisation (see the full list).
Selection
An international Advisory Panel, comprising specialists in history, archaeology, architecture, conservation, urban planning, management and finance, will assess the nominations and recommend a shortlist of sites to the Board of Europa Nostra, who will select the final list of 7 Most Endangered monuments, sites and practices.
The selection is made on the basis of the outstanding heritage significance and cultural value of each of the sites as well as on the basis of the serious danger that they are facing. The level of engagement of local communities and the commitment of public and private stakeholders to saving these sites are considered as crucial added values. Another selection criterion is the potential of these sites to act as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development as well as a tool for promoting peace and dialogue within their localities and wider regions.
What happens next?
Once selected, each site benefits from a mission led by experts in heritage and finance nominated by Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute. These missions are conducted in close cooperation with the nominators.
The expert teams assess the threats and help shape a practical action plan for safeguarding each site, working with national and local public and private stakeholders, including the site owner(s).
The findings and recommendations are published in mission reports available on the 7 Most Endangered website.
The EIB Heritage Grant
Each of the seven selected sites is eligible to receive an EIB Heritage Grant of up to 10.000 euros, intended to support initial steps towards safeguarding the site. This includes studies, planning, or other assistance measures.
