Launched in 2002, the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards, has become one of the most prestigious awards in the world for outstanding realizations concerning the conservation of cultural heritage.

This year the prizes have been awarded in 4 main categories: Conservation, Research, Dedicated service and last but not least Education, training and awareness-raising.

Six top prizes were awarded this year: three for conservation projects in the Czech Republic, Greece and The Netherlands, one for research in Spain, one for dedicated service in The Netherlands and one for education and training in Romania.

Furthermore twenty-one second prize medals were awarded in the same four categories, 18 for European Union countries and 3 for non-European Union countries.

As Belgian conservation organization we are proud to mention that a Category 1- Conservation medal was awarded for the conservation of the "Tour and Taxis" site in Brussels, a former customs clearing and storage building for commercial goods. It has now been turned in modern offices and a multi-purpose area. The conservation succeeded in combining the commercial interest of the building with its historical and cultural value and it is now a much visited site well known for its cultural activities.

Less well known but very important is the initiative of the Walloon Institute for Cultural Heritage. It concerns awareness-training classes for youth between 12 and 15 year. The classes go by the name "Classes d'éveil au Patrimoine et à ses metiers" (Awareness raising classes for Cultural Heritage and its Professional trades) and are held at the "La Paix-Dieu" centre in Amay, Belgium. The aim is to interest young people in conservation of cultural heritage by bringing them together for a short time in a Cistercian abbey from 1244 that is currently conserved. There they can see for themselves what conservation is, explained to them in the field by conservation experts and professionals. This outstanding initiative, attended already by more than 5000 students and hopefully a breeding ground for future conservators, has been awarded a medal in Category 4 - Education, Training and Awareness-raising.

Conservation Web vzw hereby congratulates both laureates with their outstanding merits.

More information on the Awards and the Laureates is to be found at http://www.europanostra.org/