EUROPEAN SITES OF HOLOCAUST MEMORY (ESHEM)
ESHEM
European Sites of Holocaust Memory (ESHEM), officially launched in January 2026, is a network responding to this exact need: connecting people and organisations that safeguard historical Holocaust sites across Europe to strengthen their role in research, education, and commemoration.
ESHEM is a European Commission initiative and part of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life (2021-2030). The project is implemented by an international consortium led by GOPA PACE in partnership with the Zapomniane Foundation, the FestivALT Association, the Urban Memory Foundation, and GOPA Com.
ESHEM’s first year of activity, 2025, has been dedicated, among other things, to gathering the voices of stakeholders to map the needs of the diverse custodians of Holocaust sites – including institutions, NGOs, and informal groups – as well as to better understand their most pressing challenges and identify inspiring practices from across the field.
In early February 2026, ESHEM launched its first Call for Membership. The results will be announced soon, and the first Members will be officially welcomed into the network during the ESHEM Ceremony and Conference held in Brussels this November.
Looking ahead, ESHEM plans to further expand its activities through capacity-building workshops and other opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
As an initiative that does not operate in isolation, ESHEM is already collaborating with organisations such as the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), the European Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI), and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). ESHEM continues to seek new partnerships and collaborations, while also encouraging additional Holocaust sites to join the network – a second Call for Membership is planned for late 2026/early 2027.
Everyone interested in ESHEM’s work is invited to subscribe to its newsletter, “Imprints,” which – alongside the official website – remains the primary channel of communication with stakeholders and the wider public.
QR code for sign-up for the newsletter:
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European Commission’s Initiative connecting Holocaust Sites
across Europe and beyond
As the last witnesses of the Holocaust pass away, the responsibility for preserving its memory is undergoing a profound transformation. Given the dispersed nature of the Shoah and the vast legacy of violence inscribed across the landscapes of Europe and beyond, there is an urgent need for a coordinated and future-oriented approach.