Cultural Diversity – Building up a Network of Standarised Expert’s Skills for Cultural Heritage of the European Union

Abstract

According to the climate change and energy policy of the EU, each member state needed to identify and develop a series of energy efficient goals and regulations, of which buildings are a key element, in order to reach the set goals. However, Europe has numerous traditional buildings, which need permanent maintenance and refurbishment in order to fulfil the requirements of sustainability and use. When responsible bodies do spend money anyway, it seems logical and ecologically worthwhile to apply “soft” maintenance procedures, which save costs and also reduce energy consumption of traditional buildings in the long-run. Integrating these buildings into national climate change and energy policies seems therefore quite necessary and a challenge, as far as appropriate techniques and procedures are concerned, which can only be met through excellently trained professionals (e.g. architects, site and maintenance managers, craftspersons) and apprentices of the works concerned. PRO-Heritage (PROtect Traditional Built Heritage Skills) partners aim to offer initial and permanent education for professionals and craftspersons providing traditional competences and skills for built heritage, based on best practice of partner organisations. Additionally, PRO-Heritage is going to establish a structure and environment for regular journeyman’s travel in Europe, in order to further support the exchange and safeguarding of competences and skills across Europe.