On June 12, 2025, I had the honour of representing the EU Journeys project at the Remembrance Cluster Meeting hosted by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) in Brussels. The event brought together over 83 projects selected under the 2023 and 2024 calls of the CERV – European Remembrance topic, all united by a common goal: to safeguard memory as a foundation for democratic, inclusive European societies.

Setting the Stage

The morning began with powerful opening remarks from Alessandra Luchetti, Maria Tomassetti, and Katharina von Schnurbein, who emphasized the increased urgency of remembrance in light of contemporary threats such as antisemitism and historical distortion. As von Schnurbein poignantly stated,

“Preserving memory and constructing a common historical narrative is more important than ever.”

Panel Highlights

Panel 1: Landscape of Remembrance in Europe
Representatives from key REM projects — Schindler’s Ark, REC, Mothers of Europe, and VIELAC — reflected on the shrinking space for memory in Europe. Schindler’s Ark shared a moving account of the last grandson of the original owner who repurchased the historic factory. Panelists emphasized the importance of anchoring memory in real places and testimonies, warning against the collapse of shared narratives under the weight of disinformation.

“We tend to forget the past. Telling the stories of ordinary people is crucial so we don’t repeat our mistakes.” – Tijl Akkermans

Panel 2: Feedback on REM project implementation
The second panel focused on outreach, impact, and building collaborations. It reinforced our belief in the EU Journeys approach — combining innovative tools with emotionally resonant stories to create inclusive, pan-European dialogues.

Afternoon Exchange: Dialogue and Synergy

The afternoon break-out rooms enabled direct exchanges between projects working under the same thematic priorities. This provided an excellent opportunity to showcase EU Journeys’ key pillars:

• Testimonial-based storytelling from across generations
• AI-assisted visual and literary interpretation
• Community-based exhibitions and open reading sessions

We engaged in meaningful dialogue about how to reach underrepresented audiences, counter Euroscepticism, and preserve memory not just as history — but as a living civic value.

Key Takeaways for EU Journeys

• Narrative Power Matters: Citizens connect with people, not just policies. Human stories are the bridge between memory and identity.
• Safeguarding Remembrance: Memory is under attack — from Holocaust denial to current-day antisemitic vandalism conflating Gaza and Shoah Memorial.
• Creative Methodologies are Vital: The use of multimedia, co-creation, and community involvement was widely encouraged.

“History is being used to polarize society. Projects like ours must reclaim it for unity and reflection.” – Panel comment from Mothers of Europe

Looking Ahead

We invite our fellow projects to collaborate, share materials, and join us in events across partner countries. A shared history needs shared stewardship.

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This project has received funding from the European Union’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) under Grant Agreement No. 101196543. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.