European Cemeteries Route received the Best Practice Award 2024

The award-winning initiative was Week of Discovering European Cemeteries: Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change.

Best Practice Award 2024

At the 13th Annual Advisory Forum of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, held in Budapest, Hungary, from 25 to 27 September 2024, six Cultural Routes received the "Best Practice Award" for promoting cultural heritage.

Among them, the European Cemeteries Route was recognized for its focus on Cultural Tourism and Sustainable Development. The award-winning initiative, titled "Week of Discovering European Cemeteries: Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change," encouraged ASCE and European Cemeteries Route members to organize over 30 events in 22 cemeteries across seven European countries. These events emphasized the role of cemeteries as green spaces and promoted sustainable practices. Activities included guided tours, exhibitions, and open calls for sustainable improvements.

For more information about the award ceremony and the other winners, please visit this LINK.

European Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe

The theme for the 2024 Week of Discovering European Cemeteries, "Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change," was developed as part of the ASCE initiative "Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe," launched in 2024 to promote the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Details of the initiative and the WDEC 2024 examples of good practice can be found HERE.