The Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU) has updated and made available on its website more than 35 research guides designed to help researchers navigate its archival collections and explore key themes in European integration.
Available in PDF format, the guides provide an overview of archival materials held at the HAEU relating to the development of European integration and policies shaped at the European level. They offer researchers a starting point for identifying relevant sources and exploring the historical evolution of European cooperation.Exploring
European integration through the archives
The research guides cover a wide range of policy areas and historical developments. Topics include agriculture, banking and finance, the common market, competition, consumer protection, energy, environmental policy, employment, human rights protection, monetary policy, public health and food safety, and transport.
Several guides focus on key milestones in the history of European integration, including the Schuman Plan and the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the 1957 Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (EEC), and the enlargements of 1973, 1981, 1986 and 1995.
Other subjects include the EU budget, external trade, regional policy, defence policy, education, culture, and European cooperation in science, technology and innovation. Together, these guides offer an entry point into the documentary record of the policies, institutions and developments that have shaped the European project.
Discovering different types of archival material
Alongside the thematic guides, the HAEU provides resources dedicated to specific types of archival material. These include photographs, posters, films, audio and video recordings, and artefacts.
These resources can help researchers approach the history of European integration through a variety of sources, extending beyond traditional written documents and offering additional perspectives on how European cooperation has been documented and communicated.
A starting point for archival research
The research guides are intended to provide a general overview of the available material rather than an exhaustive account of the collections. Researchers are therefore encouraged to consult the HAEU's online inventories and search its archival database to identify relevant fonds and documents for their specific research questions.
The updated guides are available on the HAEU website, where researchers can browse the resources by topic or type of material.
By bringing together guidance on a broad range of subjects and sources, the collection supports researchers, students and anyone interested in investigating the history of European integration with primary sources.