The “Cultural Routes” project was launched by the Council of Europe in 1987 with the aim of demonstrating, through a journey through space and time, how the heritage and culture of the different States of Europe would contribute to create a shared cultural heritage.
In December 2010, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution establishing the enlarged Partial Agreement, with the aim of strengthening the potential of cultural routes in the area of cultural cooperation, social cohesion and sustainable spatial development, with particular attention to issues of symbolic importance for European unity: history, culture and values as well as discovering lesser-known destinations. It helps strengthening the democratic dimension of trade and cultural tourism through the involvement of local networks and associations, local and regional authorities, universities and professional organizations, as well as the preservation of a diverse heritage through touristic routes and cultural projects based on themes and alternative touristic routes.
The Steering Committee of the Agreement gives the certification “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” and, on the basis of the resolution of the Committee of Ministers (2013)67, which establishes rules for the allocation of certification, periodically assesses the paths already certified.
Routes that aspire to be certified must:
Focus on a theme representative of European values and common to several Countries;
Proceed along a historic route, or a physical path (the case of cultural tourism);
Create projects of multilateral cooperation in the long term in one of the priority areas (scientific research, conservation and development of heritage, cultural and educational exchanges between young Europeans, contemporary cultural and artistic practices, cultural tourism and sustainable development);
Be managed by one or more independent and structured networks (in the form of an association or a federation of associations).
A technical body, the European Institute of Cultural Routes was created in 1998 with the mission review new projects, monitor activities on the ground and the work of partner organizations as well as distribute information and documents.