By young people, for young people! Across Europe and beyond

Youth.Heritage.Europe. was born in 2025 to carry forward and scale up the mission of the European Students’ Association for Cultural Heritage (ESACH).

​ESACH began as an informal, youth-led network created in 2017 in the run-up to the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, to put younger voices at the centre of Europe’s cultural conversation. We inherit that spirit and extend it to a larger, more connected community with more initiatives and deeper impact.
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We are based in Spain, working with partners and peers across Europe and around the world.

Our MISSION

To empower young people to safeguard, re-imagine and share cultural & natural heritage, bridging research, policy and practice so that heritage actively contributes to Europe’s green, digital and social transitions, as well as to thriving, inclusive communities everywhere.

our logo

At the centre of our logo is a keystone; not just a piece of stone, but the element that makes everything possible. In an arch, the keystone is what holds it together, what allows it to stand and endure the passing of time. It doesn’t just offer strength, it brings balance, connection, and meaning. For us, that keystone is youth.

​Young people are not only part of cultural heritage: they are the key to making it sustainable, relevant, and alive for generations to come. Our logo is a reminder that youth aren't just part of the story, they are what makes it stand.

*Designed by a young, New York–based multidisciplinary designer Selen Imamoglu, this visual identity was developed in close collaboration with the team to reflect the organisation’s evolving story and values.

​Our Objectives 

Advance knowledge and skills via open publications, mentoring, seminars and short courses that strengthen both technical and transferable competences.

Grow an interdisciplinary youth network that connects students, early-career professionals and community practitioners, enabling peer-to-peer learning and collaboration across borders.​​

Champion meaningful youth participation in heritage decision-making - locally, nationally and at the European level - through training, advocacy and co-creation.

​​Make heritage inclusive and future-ready, prioritising accessibility, climate action, digital commons and fair opportunities for all.

Incubate impactful projects (from community heritage labs to field schools and policy sprints) that test ideas, deliver real outcomes and can be replicated.

​Build bridges across sectors, partnering with public bodies, NGOs, universities and cultural organisations to mainstream heritage in sustainable development.

What we do

1. Programmes & Events: annual youth forums, monthly online exchanges, one-time actions responding to heritage needs, and participation in other events.

2. Projects & Partnerships: multi-country initiatives with similar networks, NGOs, municipalities, universities and other civic entities.

3. Research-to-Practice: briefs, toolkits, position papers, and pilots that turn ideas into action.

4. Publications & Voices: articles, narratives, reports amplifying youth perspectives on cultural heritage.

5. Community Support: peer mentoring and resources for local groups to start or scale their work.

See also: Team | Members | Partners | Annual Reports