NOA Guidelines offer roadmap to promote Jewish life across Europe
The AEPJ is proud to announce the publication of the NOA Guidelines for Fostering Jewish Life, a key milestone within the NOA project (Networks Overcoming Antisemitism), co-funded by the European Union.
These Guidelines provide a constructive, forward-looking framework for municipalities, institutions, and civil society actors to actively support and promote Jewish life in Europe. Rather than focusing solely on security or the fight against antisemitism, the Guidelines invite stakeholders to embrace Jewish heritage and culture as essential components of a vibrant, diverse, and democratic Europe.
Developed through a participatory process involving surveys in 16 countries and contributions from across the Jewish ecosystem, the Guidelines are both practical and reflective. They offer actionable recommendations in areas such as cultural programming, urban planning, education, civic engagement, interreligious dialogue, and heritage protection—giving cities and stakeholders concrete tools to strengthen the presence and visibility of Jewish life in public space and policy.
“Jewish life is not only something to protect—it is something to nurture, to celebrate, and to allow to flourish”
Already, the Guidelines have been presented at key international events, including the EU Civil Society Forum on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life, the ECCAR General Conference 2024, and the European Days of Jewish Culture Organisers & Coordinators Meeting, where they received enthusiastic support and valuable feedback.
In a context where Jewish communities across Europe are facing growing challenges, these Guidelines are intended to inspire not only policy change, but also new partnerships, conversations, and long-term engagement. They are meant to serve as a living document, adaptable to different local realities and enriched over time.
In the coming months, AEPJ will continue to build on this foundation by developing complementary resources, such as a practical guide for organizing events with Jewish community involvement, case studies, and toolkits designed to support municipalities and institutions in implementing the recommendations.
This initiative was led by AEPJ within the NOA Consortium and was made possible through the dedication of many individuals and organizations. Special thanks go to Luca Baraldi for his conceptual and strategic guidance; to Robin Sclafani and the CEJI team for their warm leadership and attention to detail; to Katharina von Schnurbein and Pascale Falek for their institutional support; to all NOA partners and AEPJ members for their commitment and collaboration; and to the many individuals and communities who generously responded to surveys and shared their feedback to shape the final result.
Finally, we extend our gratitude to all those who work every day—within institutions or as individuals—to create a Europe where Jewish life can continue to grow and contribute meaningfully to the social and cultural fabric of our cities.
