The Culture and Education Committee at the European Parliament approved a resolution endorsing a deal with EU Member States to create the European Heritage Label. Under this deal, symbolic sites for Europe's history or integration will be eligible for this label in voluntary basis. This proposal aims to promote educational activities and to raise young people's awareness of Europe's common heritage and identity.

The proposal to create the European Heritage Label, moves forward after getting an unanimous vote given by MEPs from the Culture and Education Committee. Thus, symbolic sites for Europe's history or integration will be eligible for a voluntary European heritage label under a deal with EU Member States endorsed now thanks to this vote. The scheme aims to promote educational activities and to raise young people's awareness of Europe's common heritage and identity.

The text lays down clear and and transparent common procedures for granting this quality label, from 2013, to selected sites such as monuments, natural, submerged, archeological, industrial or urban sites, cultural landscapes, places of remembrance, cultural goods and objects or "intangible heritage" associated with a place. In addition, contemporary heritage will also be eligible for the label, not on architectural or aesthetic grounds, but rather those of its relevance to Europe's common history and heritage. On the other hand, "transnational" sites will be given particular attention with regard their special symbolism for Europe's common history. MEPs nonetheless ask that these sites should meet specific conditions: each site should meet the criteria for granting a label, and a site co-ordinator will be the Commission's sole interlocutor.

Participation will be entirely voluntary. Every two years, Member States will be able to propose up to two candidate sites, from which the jury of 13 independent experts will chose a maximum of one. Regarding transnational sites, Member States may also apply for a label for several national sites linked by a common theme. Parliament will put the proposal to a plenary vote in November, and will then need to be formally approved by the Council.