On 25 September 2026, the European Cemeteries Route was recognised with an Inspiring Practice Award during the closing session of the 15th Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in Yerevan, Armenia.

The EPA Governing Board recognised six outstanding initiatives across different fields of action. The European Cemeteries Route, managed by the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE), was awarded in the field of Cultural and Educational Exchanges for Young Europeans for the “Life Lessons — Cemeteries as Educational Heritage” practice.

The recognised practice reflects the Route’s long-standing educational work, including the ongoing Schools on Cemeteries project. In 2026, this approach continued through activities organised during the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC 2026) and the ASCE Annual Conference in Turin, presenting cemeteries as spaces for lifelong learning, youth engagement and cultural exchange.

The certificate was presented by Rui Gomes, Executive Secretary of the EPA and Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes, to Astghik Marabyan, representing Armenia, the most recent country to join the European Cemeteries Route.

For more details, visit the ASCE website.