The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe are all subject of regular monitoring and three-year evaluation procedure through independent expert report and recommendations to assess conformity with Council of Europe Committee of Minister Resolution CM/Res(2013)67.

This year, 8 certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe are undergoing the process of regular evaluation: Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Routes, The Hansa, Via Francigena, Routes of El Legado andalusí, Pyrenean Iron Route, Iter Vitis Route, European Route of Ceramics, Fortified towns of the Grande Région. 1 Cultural Route is undergoing an exceptional evaluation to ensure compliance with Resolution CM/Res(2013)67.

Each year, the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme sees a growing number of Cultural Route networks applying for certification. For the 2019-2029 evaluation cycle, 3 applications were submitted: Via Romea Germanica, European Network of Historic Gardens and Nikola Tesla Network.

Independent international experts have been entrusted with the preparation of a report on the conformity of the network with the criteria of the Council of Europe Resolution CM/Res(2013)67 revising the rules for the award of the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe certification following a mandatory field visit along each Cultural Route.

During the EPA Bureau meeting (13-14 February 2020), Bureau members will have the opportunity to form an opinion on the conformity of the Routes concerned with the criteria for certification and make recommendations to be transmitted to the Governing Board of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in advance of its annual meeting.

At the EPA Governing Board meeting taking place on 1-2 April 2020 in Luxembourg, the evaluation reports and recommendations of the EPA Bureau will be examined and representatives of the Cultural Routes under evaluation will be auditioned. On this occasion, the Governing Board will make a decision concerning the renewal of the certification to certified Cultural Routes and the award of the certification “Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe” to candidate networks.