Frequently Asked Questions
We compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions for the 7 Most Endangered programme. Click on the questions to read the answers.
1) What is the 7 Most Endangered Programme?
Launched 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.
2) Who are the main partners of the 7 Most Endangered Programme?
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.
3) When is the next edition of the 7 Most Endangered Programme?
The Call for Nominations for the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2026 is open until 15 September 2025.
4) Who can submit nominations for the 7 Most Endangered Programme?
– Public or 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, provided they 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).
5) What type of endangered heritage can be nominated?
- Historic buildings and their ensembles (including surrounding townscapes/landscapes)
- Civil buildings of community value
- Historic public spaces (e.g. city or village centres, squares)
- Places of worship
- Archaeological sites (including their surrounding landscapes)
- Industrial buildings and areas
- Places of remembrance (« Lieux de mémoire »)
- Cultural landscapes
- Natural landscapes (including parks and gardens)
- Intangible heritage, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, nature-related knowledge and traditional craftsmanship
6) Can privately-owned sites be nominated for the 7 Most Endangered Programme?
Yes, privately-owned sites can be nominated for the 7 Most Endangered Programme. In the nomination form, there is a dedicated space to add the details of the nominator and to indicate whether the owner has endorsed your nomination or not. In case of selection of the site to our programme, the relationship with the site owner(s) will become increasingly important for our expert team to undertake the site assessment and any subsequent actions.
7) Can a nomination submitted to a previous edition of the 7 Most Endangered be resubmitted?
Yes, a nomination that was not selected for a previous edition of the 7 Most Endangered Programme can be resubmitted. The nomination can be resubmitted even if the site(s) was previously included in a shortlist. The nomination would need to be updated, including the latest information and developments, in order to be resubmitted.
8) How are the sites shortlisted and selected?
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.
9) What are the criteria to select the sites?
Main criteria
– European significance of the nominated site
– Imminent threat or significant level of danger
– The likelihood of a viable and sustainable future for the site
Additional criteria
– Nominator’s active involvement
– Positive attitude of the owner
– Support by the local experts and/or community
– The potential to act as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development of the area where it is located is important
10) What type of help and support is given to the selected sites?
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.
11) What is the European Investment Bank (EIB) Heritage Grant?
Since the 2021 edition, 7 Most Endangered Programme has included the possibility for the 7 selected sites to be eligible for an European Investment Bank (EIB) Heritage Grant of up to 10.000 euros, which is intended to support initial steps towards safeguarding the site. This includes studies, planning, or other assistance measures.
12) What does "Progress Update" refer to?
For the selected sites, there are reports and in some cases follow up ‘fiches’, in which progress is outlined. This refers to progress on plans/activities which are being implemented based on the recommendations of the reports.
The current categories are:
Good: there is good progress on implementing a plan on the site.
Partly completed: conservation has started.
Partly slow: there is slow progress on the implementation of the recommendations.
Slow: steps have been taken but there is slow progress.
Poor: difficulties remain.
Unavailable: there currently is no detailed information available.
Unstable: there is political instability
No mission: a mission on site was not carried out due to security/political reasons.
13) How many sites have been selected for the 7 Most Endangered since its launch?
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.
