The aim of the Annual European Heritage Award is to recognise and highlight achievements in preserving European history and tradition: restoration and conservation, research, education and dedicated service in the cultural heritage sector. The programme is organised by the European Commission and Europa Nostra, the pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage, representing over 250 NGOs and over 160 other organisations interested in heritage from 45 European countries.

This year seven Grand Prize winners will be announced at the ceremony in the TeatroAntico of Taormina in Sicily on the 5 June 2009. They will be chosen from among 140 projects from 24 countries, and awarded for their “outstanding examples of heritage protection”. Each Grand Prize is worth € 10,000. The European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards will be also granted to 28 selected winners.

The awards will be presented by Jan Figel, the European Commissioner responsible for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, and Her Royal Highness, the Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón, President of Europa Nostra.