In the framework of the Faro Convention Action Plan 2018-19, the Council of Europe celebrated the fourth Faro Convention Network (FCN) annual gathering, that took place on 3rd - 4th December 2019 in Venice, Italy. Organized with the support of the Venice Office of the Council of Europe, it gathered more than 20 representatives of different cultural heritage initiatives, projects and communities from diverse Council of Europe Member States.

This annual gathering provided a space for presenting diverse heritage initiatives and projects implemented in line with the Faro Convention Principles and was a place for fruitful exchanges among the participants, who were inspired by new ideas and proposals to advance the collaboration and create stronger synergies. Participants expressed their willingness to actively engage in joint initiatives and agreed to foster the continued cooperation with the Council of Europe and among the initiatives. They also underlined the great potential of the Faro Convention Network in contributing to the Faro Convention implementation, enhancing education for heritage and encouraging active engagement by the civil society in the cultural heritage preservation and governance.

With an aim to reinforce the cooperation among heritage communities within the Member States, the present European network could be strengthened by promoting the idea of establishing Faro Convention national networks, the official launch of an Italian specific network during a side-by-side meeting on the 2nd December serving as possible inspiration for other countries.