Cultural heritage, a cross-cutting theme in Horizon 2020 The cultural heritage, tangible and intangible, crosses the Italian social and economic structure. Italians perceive it as their own theme , but on a closer inspection to the Horizon 2020 programme, we realize that it is also particularly relevant to the European Union. In the period 2014/2015 about 71 M € will be dedicated to the protection, conservation and enhancement of tangible and intangible cultural assets. It will be possible to do Research on topics such as “Materials-based solutions for the protection or preservation of European cultural heritage”,“Energy strategies and solutions for deep renovation of historic buildings” or “The cultural heritage of war in contemporary Europe”. Europe continues to demonstrate its awareness of its historical heritage, especially the intangible, that little space had in the previous Framework Programme. The inclusion of cultural heritage in Horizon 2020 takes the form of a series of amendments focusing on the contribution of culture to research excellence, social cohesion and growth. A document reads: “Accessibility and preservation of cultural heritage [..] is needed for the vitality of engagement within and across European cultures by also considering the importance of cultural heritage as strong economic driver in a post-industrial economy and its contribution to sustainable economic growth.” The intangibles cultural assets have found space in the “ Social Challenge 6, Europe in a changing world - Inclusive, Innovative and Reflective Societies’, flanked by digital cultural assets, in the past included in the CIP programme (Competitiveness & Innovation programme). What future for our past? Exactly one year ago, a group of experts raised questions about the future of cultural heritage during the workshop “Future of Cultural HeritageImpact of external developments,” organized by the European Foresight Platform (EFP) to help implement a future perspective on cultural heritage. Through this forward-looking exercise activity trends and drivers of change which might affect the cultural heritage have been identified. Keep in mind what has emerged from this workshop will be important in preparation of proposals, as well as what will be discussed during the Joint Programming Initiative coordinated by the Cultural Heritage Ministry of Education with participation of 15 other European countries. Per maggiori informazioni sulla EuropeanForesight Platform: http://www.foresight-platform.eu/8765/featured/efp-workshop-future-of-cultural-heritage/ http://www.jpi-culturalheritage.eu/ APRE Notizie, n.12 dicembre 2013