Green Cluster for Science and Conservation Research – Strategic Policy Meeting

Shaping the future of European Heritage, Science, and Innovation – Green Cluster for Science and Conservation Research – Strategic Policy Meeting

Date: 26 February 2026
Place: Brussels – in person or online

We are pleased to invite European and Member State policymakers, heritage institutions, research organizations, industry representatives, professional organizations and civil-society stakeholders to the Strategic Policy Meeting on Advancing Sustainability in Heritage Conservation, organized by the Green Cluster for Science and Conservation Research and hosted at KIK-IRPA (Brussels) with hybrid participation.

At the heart of this meeting lies a shared strategic challenge: how green conservation and scientific research can jointly support a sustainable transformation of heritage conservation in Europe. Green conservation is not only a matter of environmental and social responsibility; it requires a strong scientific foundation to ensure that conservation interventions are effective, safe for heritage materials and operators, and sustainable over time. Scientific research provides the evidence, methods, and validation needed to translate sustainability principles into reliable practice and policy.

This policy meeting brings together key actors from across Europe to explore how heritage science and conservation research can be more effectively embedded within European policy frameworks, funding instruments, education and training systems, and innovation ecosystems. Particular attention will be given to pathways for integration, implementation, scalability, and long-term support, building on green innovation and technological developments emerging from European research.

The meeting builds on the results and strategic perspectives of the Horizon Europe projects MOXY, GREENART, and GoGreen, united within the Green Cluster. By opening the discussion to a wider community, the event aims to strengthen dialogue between research, practice, policy, and industry, and to position Europe as the global leader in heritage innovation and sustainability.

The morning session will showcase the latest sustainable and green innovations in cultural heritage preservation from three Horizon Europe research projects: GoGreen, MOXY, and GreenArt. The afternoon session will focus on how policy can support the future of sustainable conservation and will include a keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra, followed by a panel discussion with cultural heritage researchers, industrial stakeholders and policy makers and influencers. 

The event is open to all interested stakeholders and especially regional, national and EU policymakers and can be followed fully online, ensuring broad accessibility and participation across Europe and beyond.

• Hybrid participation
• Registration (free, but required), program, and further information: available via the event link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/strategic-meeting-on-green-conservation-for-cultural-heritage-tickets-1977025551645?aff=oddtdtcreator

We look forward meeting you in Brussels and together Shaping the future of Heritage, Science, and Innovation!

Organizing Scientific Committee:
Katrien Keune, Piero Baglioni, Caitlin Southwick, Nina Olsson, Loïc Bertrand, David Chelazzi, Gwendoline Fife, Tomas Markevicius