Applications for certification as well as regular and exceptional evaluation files were received by the Secretariat by 31st July 2022 (deadline established as per decision of the EPA Governing Board).

The current cycle focuses on the regular evaluation of fourteen certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and the evaluation of eight candidate networks applying for the “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” certification, as well as the exceptional evaluation of two certified Cultural Routes.

The Secretariat of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme has been working on the coordination of the 2022-2023 Certification Cycle since the first trimester of the year.

Certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe under regular evaluation: 

1. Cluniac Sites in Europe
2. Destination Napoleon
3. European Route of Industrial Heritage
4. European Route of Jewish Heritage
5. European Routes of Emperor Charles V
6. In the Footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson
7. Iron Curtain Trail
8. Le Corbusier Destinations: Architectural Promenades
9. Liberation Route Europe
10. Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route
11. Routes of Reformation
12. TRANSROMANICA - The Romanesque Routes of European Heritage
13. Via Regia
14. Viking Routes

Certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe under exceptional evaluation:

1. European Route of Cistercian Abbeys
2. Via Charlemagne

Candidates to the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe certification:

1. European Network of Saint Michael's Sites and Ways
2. Iter Romanum - Heritage & Cities
3. Mary's Route
4. Pyrenees Freedom Routes
5. Romea Strata
6. Saint Francis' Ways
7. Singing Heritage Route
8. Transhumance Trails and Rural Roads

In March 2022, the Secretariat contacted interested candidate networks and certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe under regular and exceptional evaluation to announce the launch of the 2022-2023 certification cycle.

An online training seminar for networks interested in applying for the "Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe" certification under the 2022-2023 certification cycle was organised by the Secretariat on 24th June, followed by individual advisory meetings with each candidate network.

Independent experts have been selected and contracted to conduct the independent evaluation of each route, including a documentary desk review, a field visit along the route and the preparation of an evaluation report to be submitted in December 2022. The selection of experts was carried out on the basis of geographic and gender balance, academic background, professional experience as well as language requirements.

The results of the independent experts’ evaluations will be discussed during the meeting of the Bureau of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) in Luxembourg on 1-2 March 2023, where the independent experts will be interviewed. Final decisions regarding the renew and award of the “Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe” certification will be made by the EPA Governing Board at its annual meeting in Luxembourg on 10-11 May 2023, where routes under evaluation will be auditioned.