The Bureau of the Governing Board of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) convened at Neumünster Abbey in Luxembourg to assess the ongoing certification cycle and strategic activities for 2025.
The meeting, chaired by Mrs. Meltem ÖNHON, Chair of the EPA Governing Board, and with welcoming remarks by Ambassador André BIEVER, President of the European Institute of Cultural Routes, provided an opportunity to review the 2024 Activity Report and discuss the draft Programme of Activities for 2025.
Evaluation Cycle 2024-2025
A major focus of the meeting was the review of the 2024-2025 certification and evaluation cycle, including 2 exceptional evaluations and 8 regular evaluations. With a view to prepare some recommendations for the EPA Governing Board, the Bureau furthermore examined 8 applications for Cultural Route certification :
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European Route of Nikos Kazantzakis
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Mary’s Route
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European Cultural Route of Sports
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European Route of Historic Theatres
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Pyrenean Freedom Routes
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Romea Strata
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Saint Francis' Ways
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The Way of the Holy Grail, the Route of Knowledge, the Path of Peace
Each candidate was assessed based on the certification criteria of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, as established in Council of Europe Committee of Ministers' Resolution CM/Res(2023)2.
Strategic Planning and Future Activities
The Bureau prepared the agenda for the upcoming EPA Governing Board meeting, scheduled for 6-7 May 2025, and reviewed key projects such as the Country Mapping Documents for Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Lithuania, as well as a new request from the Republic of Moldova. Sustainable mobility along Cultural Routes was also discussed.
Preparations for the 14th Annual Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes, set to take place in Cappadocia, Türkiye, from 22-24 October 2025, were another highlight.
