Introduction: Explores the approach to communication of memory in archives, libraries and museums in European Union research projects in 2000-2005. The main objectives were: to identify predominant aspects of heritage communication; to determine whether and how heritage communication was related to memory; to establish patterns of participation in projects by determining types of institutions and their country of origin. Method: Content analysis of European Union project descriptions to determine the perceptions of how memory is communicated in archives, libraries and museums. Analysis: Qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out to identify the most visible aspects of heritage communication, interrelationship of memory and heritage and impact of certain institutions and countries on the development of project ideas. Results: The analysis revealed that the definitive features of archives, libraries and museums were collections and information management processes. Meeting social needs of present communities and developing meaningful stories of the past were almost not considered. The domination of libraries and museums in information and cultural projects respectively was identified, while archives were the least visible. Conclusions: The priorities of European Union programmes should provide more space for creative feedback from project initiators, incorporate humanitarian and social strands to enrich understanding of the roles of memory institutions and heritage, and maintain the proper balance between informational and socio-cultural aspects of heritage communication. (Contains 3 figures and 12 tables.)