European Cultural Foundation’s Legacy Preserved in Florence

On 5 March 2025, André Wilkens, director of the European Cultural Foundation (ECF), and Dieter Schlenker, director of the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU, at the European University Institute), convened in Amsterdam to sign the agreement for transferring the ECF’s 70-year archive to the HAEU. For the first time, this collection—spanning seven decades of pan-European cooperation—will be accessible to researchers, students and the public. 

Founded in 1954 by influential European figures such as Robert Schuman and Denis de Rougemont, the ECF was established on the belief that culture and education are essential to building a shared European sense of belonging and solidarity—a mission that has guided its work for over 70 years and resulted in a comprehensive range of support programmes, campaigns, events and prizes.  

A treasure trove of historical documents 

The ECF archive provides rare insights into key cultural and political moments in postwar Europe, including: 

• Debates on European unity and Europe’s role in the world, captured in papers and correspondence with leading thinkers and policymakers. 

• Early records of the Erasmus students exchange programme, including study reports, drafts, and memos showcasing ECF’s role in shaping one of the EU’s most impactful initiatives. 

• Cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations, from Cold War-era cooperation bridging East and West to extensive cultural collaboration programs with the Mediterranean and South-East Europe during EU enlargement. 

• Pioneering digital culture initiatives, such as LabforCulture, launched in the early 2000s to connect cultural practitioners across borders. 

• Mobility and cultural exchange programs, enabling artists and cultural workers to collaborate across borders. 

• Media activism and independent journalism, including support for migrant voices, cross-border storytelling, and the inception of institutes such as the European Institute for the Media and the Central and East European Book Project. 

• Early environmental and social initiatives reflecting ECF’s forward-thinking approach to sustainability and civic engagement. 

• Decades of grantmaking supporting daring cultural initiatives that empowered communities and artists to experiment and reimagine Europe through culture. 

Access and fellowship 

The processing and cataloguing of the ECF archive at the Historical Archives of the European Union will begin in 2025, with public access expected by 2026. To encourage further study, ECF will launch an annual research fellowship, reinforcing its commitment to fostering dialogue on Europe’s past, present, and future through culture. More information about the collection, the upcoming research fellowship, and the ECF’s ongoing work can be found at https://culturalfoundation.eu.  

André Wilkens, director of ECF: “I am proud and honoured that, although ECF is not an EU institution, our archives will now be housed alongside those of the Union’s key bodies. It is an acknowledgement of our pivotal role as an independent foundation in European integration processes since 1954. More than a historical record, the ECF archive is a living resource. It preserves the organization’s memory while offering insights into decades of cultural collaboration, challenges, and progress. The ECF archive will provide new generations opportunities to engage with this legacy in ways that go beyond facts and figures.” 

Dieter Schlenker, director of HAEU: ‘In the aftermath of World War II, the founders of the European Communities envisioned a united Europe not only in the economic and social spheres but also in the areas of culture and education, with the emergence of a common European citizenry. For more than 70 years, the European Cultural Foundation has been at the heart of this endeavour to build a “common sentiment of the European” as articulated by its founder Denis De Rougement back in 1954.  

The deposit and opening of the ECF archives at the Historical Archives of the European Union in Florence will provide new, exciting and previously unexplored sources for research, public knowledge and education on the cultural roots of European citizenship, grounded in the principle of solidarity and the values of democracy and fundamental rights. It will also shed light on the fascinating story of the ECF itself. We are delighted that our research community will have access to such a unique holding.’  

About the European Cultural Foundation 

Founded in 1954 and based in Amsterdam, the European Cultural Foundation promotes European sentiment through developing and supporting cultural initiatives across the continent. The first foundation with a European mission and vision, ECF believes in the power of culture to achieve a united Europe of diversity, democracy, and freedom, where solidarity, mutual respect and collaboration contribute to a shared sense of belonging. The founders envisioned a united Europe where citizens feel proudly European, a place where they can live, express themselves, work and dream freely, in diversity and harmony. This mission is as urgent now as it was back then. For more details, please see visit: https://culturalfoundation.eu/.  

About the Historical Archives of the European Union 

The Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU), located at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy, is dedicated to preserving and making accessible the documentary heritage of the European Union. It serves as the single official repository for the historical documents of the EU’s institutions, bodies, and agencies and makes these documents available for public consultation and research under the 30-year access rule. The Archives also receive and preserve the collections of private individuals, movements, and associations that have had an important role in the history of European integration. 

In addition to its archival preservation and public access efforts, the HAEU promotes research on the history of European integration and engages in a range of outreach activities. It supports scholarly exploration and public engagement through research grant programs, academic events, and educational initiatives. As part of its commitment to transparency, the HAEU offers valuable insights into the workings of EU institutions and their evolving roles in shaping the political and social landscape of Europe. 

Photo: Janiek Dam