The Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU) will soon be home to a new archive, that of the European Cultural Foundation (ECF). On 5 March 2025, André Wilkens, director of the ECF, and Dieter Schlenker, director of the HAEU, 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.
André Wilkens, director of ECF, said “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 acknowledgment 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, added "The idea of a shared European culture and citizenry has long inspired the builders of Europe. The deposit and opening of the ECF archives in Florence will provide new, exciting and previously unexplored sources for research, public knowledge and education on the cultural roots of European citizenship. 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."
A treasure trove of historical documents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 cataloging 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 on the Foundation's website.
Photo: André Wilkens and Dieter Schlenker, seated, sign the deposit agreement between the European Cultural Foundation and the Historical Archives of the European Union. Photo by Janiek Dam.