MAPPING OF THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN NON-GOVERNMENTAL HERITAGE SECTOR

After two years of research carried out in ten Central and Eastern European countries, we bring to you a report of more than two pages entitled “Mapping of the Central and Eastern European non-governmental heritage sector”. It presents data on the non-governmental heritage sector and empirical findings on its condition, challenges and needs. This pioneering European study can contribute to better solutions for the heritage sector at the European level.

>> “Mapping of the Central and Eastern European non-governmental heritage sector. Report”

>> Executive Summary “Mapping of the Central and Eastern European non-governmental heritage sector. Report”

In June 2025, the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Kraków in collaboration with Centrum Cyfrowe in Warsaw, launched a report on the state of the non-governmental heritage sector in Central and Eastern Europe: “Mapping of the Central and Eastern European non-governmental heritage sector: Report”. It is the result of a 2023–2025 research project that covered ten European countries: Belarus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine.

^{Fot. Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, received a copy of the report from Agata Wąsowska-Pawlik, Board Member of Europa Nostra}

The project responded to the need to fill knowledge gaps about the scale, characteristics and challenges of the non-governmental heritage sector in the region, which has been estimated at around 33,500 entities. What we learn from the research is that the sector is rather fragmented, but operating dynamically, based on deep-rooted social values and a sense of mission. An emerging sense of lack of appreciation from authorities and society, together with difficulties of a financial nature, underpin the often indicated burnout of those working in the sector and their reduced sense of job satisfaction. The interest of young people and generational renewal within organisations is also cited as a significant challenge facing organisations. In order for the sector to function smoothly, a change in the perception of NGOs and an appreciation of their hard work on the one hand, and a reform of financial and organisational support on the other, is necessary.

The research was based on desk research, quantitative data analysis, an online survey, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and group interviews conducted in ten national languages. Ten facilitators from each country included in the analysis assisted in the data collection.

The study was carried out as part of the international consortium of the European Heritage Hub – one of the largest Europe-wide heritage projects to support green, social and digital transformation. The project is co-funded by the European Union and Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Kraków is one of the twenty partners.

The report has been published in print and electronic versions. We encourage you to download the electronic version. Organisations, institutions and individuals who would like to receive a printed version of the report, please contact us by e-mail.

To quote the report:

Jagodzińska, Katarzyna, Sanetra-Szeliga, Joanna, Drabczyk, Maria, Hołuj, Dominika, Janus, Aleksandra, Ciesielska, Zuzanna, and Beauchamp, John. 2025. Mapping of the Central and Eastern European non-governmental heritage sector: Report. Kraków: Towarzystwo Miłośników Historii i Zabytków Krakowa.