Europa Nostra was founded on 29 November 1963 in Paris.

Its network covers almost 50 countries and is composed of over 250 member organisations (heritage associations and foundations with a combined membership of more than 5 million people). Europa Nostra is “the leading citizens’ movement to protect and celebrate Europe’s cultural and natural heritage…..the voice of all who believe that cultural heritage is vital for our economy, our society, our culture, our environment, our well-being and for the future of Europe”. Europa Nostra acts as advocate of heritage towards policy-makers at all levels of governance, campaigns to save threatened heritage sites through the 7 Most Endangered programme and by supporting actions led by member organisations, and promotes best practices in the heritage field through the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Awards. Europa Nostra has close links with the EU, the Council of Europe and UNESCO.
The Council is the executive arm of the General Assembly. The Council meets at least twice a year and appoints Members of the Board, the Executive President and Vice-Presidents.

Joop de Jong, who is also member of the Steering Committee of the Maastricht Centre for Arts and Culture, Conservation and Heritage (MACCH), hopes that research and education at FASoS will benefit from his appointment.