Building bridges for cultural heritage: the networking mission of the HeritACT project
What did we do in 2023 and 2024 to foster partnerships, share knowledge and create synergies to amplify our impact at European level? Here we share some highlights.
HeritACT takes collaboration seriously through its dedicated Task 7.4, which focuses on networking and establishing cooperation with fellow projects and initiatives and is led by the European Network of Cultural Centres. By fostering mutual learning and cross-fertilisation, we seek to create synergies that amplify the impact of our activities and research. Networking activities are designed to connect with potential partners and peers, paving the way for coordinated efforts in communication, dissemination, and event organisation. These collaborations aim to engage diverse audiences, exchange valuable knowledge, and build momentum for future initiatives.
This comprehensive approach involves several sub-tasks, starting with drafting and continuously updating a list of relevant projects, initiatives, stakeholders, and ENCC members who could be linked to HeritACT’s activities. Initial meetings with other projects and initiatives were organised to establish connections, introduce project goals, and provide regular feedback on ongoing activities and preliminary results, while co-organised events strengthen these partnerships. Joint meetings with the consortium partners have allowed for brainstorming and idea-sharing. Together, these efforts ensure that HeritACT’s networking activities are not only impactful in the short term but also set the stage for long-lasting collaborations.
Highlights of our networking activities in 2023 and 2024
Joint ENCC-HeritACT brainstorm and presentation on accessibility, online - June 2023
In 2023, the ENCC launched a new working group dedicated to inclusion and accessibility, welcoming participation from interested cultural and creative organisations and professionals. This initiative aligns with HeritACT's strategic focus on inclusion and accessibility materialised through a series of research activities, in particular the work behind the Accessibility, Usability, and Inclusiveness Requirements report, prepared by Aegean University and led by Professor Jenny Darzentas. To promote knowledge exchange, the ENCC organised a focused brainstorming session and presentation, inviting Prof Darzentas to present the key highlights of the work carried out within HeritACT.
HeritACT at the New European Bauhaus Festival, Brussels - April 2024
From April 9–13, we took part in the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Festival in Brussels. HeritACT hosted a booth and a workshop to showcase the project’s activities, knowledge, and values, aligned with the NEB’s core pillars: sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion. During the HeritACT workshop “Volunteer Geographic Information for Heritage mapping” led by University College Dublin, participants learned about community-driven mapping in the NEB and HeritACT Project, and created a map together, defining locations and questions.
The European Heritage Hub Social Forum - ongoing
In 2024 we have joined the European Heritage Hub Social Forum. Designed for heritage professionals and enthusiasts, this online community offers a dedicated space for users to connect with peers, expand their networks, and collaborate on topics central to culture and cultural heritage. The forum has served—and will continue to serve—as an excellent platform for sharing the progress and research findings of the HeritACT project, while also tapping into the valuable insights and knowledge generated by other projects and initiatives.
HeritACT at the EdHeroes Global Forum 2024 - July 2024
In July 2024, we took part in the EdHeroes Global Forum 2024, a 24-hour online event that connects communities and organisations worldwide through a mix of pre-recorded and live activities. The HeritACT project was presented during the "The Cultural Heritage as a Global Education Experience" session, with the participation of the European Network of Cultural Centres. The session was a key moment to present how cultural heritage sites, traditions, and artifacts can be used to create immersive and inclusive learning experiences. As a follow up of the forum, in September we attended the recording of the EdHeroes Voices podcast series, available on both Spotify and YouTube.
HeritACT toolkit info & demo session, online - September 2024
In the picture, a screenshot from the info & demo session
This session, organised for cultural and creative organisations and professionals across Europe and beyond, showcased a selection of innovative and freely accessible HeritACT digital tools designed to enhance community participation in cultural heritage initiatives. The session aimed to extend the reach of the HeritACT project by introducing its innovative tools to a broad audience, while also gathering valuable feedback and addressing questions from the European cultural and creative sector. During the event, the HeritACT tool developers provided an in-depth overview of the tools' functionality, complemented by a hands-on demonstration. The session brought together a diverse group, including 14 consortium members and 42 participants from 20 countries. Given the very positive feedback, more info & demo sessions will certainly be organised in 2025, probably in synergy with other projects and initiatives.
HeritACT at the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2024 - October 2024
In the picture, Leen Vanderschueren from the European Network of Cultural Centres, live-testing some beautiful, state-of-the-art digital, AI and augmented reality projects. In the picture: the Seeing without Sight project. (Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/europanostra/albums/72177720320575478/)
Between 6 and 8 October 2024, HeritACT travelled to Bucharest to get inspired at the Europa Nostra's European Cultural Heritage Summit 2024. The Forum was a unique experience for us to exchange with professionals and organisations working on cultural heritage cutting-edge practices, research and policies, as well as the perfect space to share insights on the research carried out in our project. We are glad to be part of this vibrant community and will continue to strive for a responsible ecological and digital transition with and for the cultural heritage sector, in line with the European Heritage Hub Call to Action. For a full report of our participation, here is a dedicated article.
HeritACT at the Arts and Cultural Management Conference 2024 - November 2024
Between 7 and 9 November 2024, we took part in the 2024 edition of the Arts and Cultural Management Conference, hosted by the Romanian Cultural Institute in Vienna. Thanks to a dedicated panel discussion, this face-to-face event provided a fine-tuned context for the HeritACT project to present its innovative methodologies and toolkit. For a full report of our participation, here is a dedicated article.
HeritACT presentations at European initiatives and synergies with other projects - ongoing
We have been actively engaging in collaborative efforts and expanding our reach through presentations at targeted events and joint meetings with other EU projects. Here are only some of the activities we have carried out:
We have held regular meetings with the Horizon Europe project i-Game and its developers, especially Museo Space Foundation, have focused on cross-exchanges of practices and enhancing the visibility of both projects. These discussions have paved the way for mutual learning and shared strategies for greater impact.
We have deepened our partnership with the Coal Mining Museum in Poland, which developed the project Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of Silesian Industry via the Creation of Digital Artifacts. This initiative, recognised by EUROCITIES within the European Heritage Hub project as one of ten good practices for the triple transformation of cultural heritage. Future activities and seminars are being planned to ensure greater visibility and dissemination of tools and methodologies utilised by both projects.
We have actively participated in the activities of UNA Europa, an alliance of 11 European universities. Through workshops, micro-conferences, and other events, HeritACT has leveraged this platform to promote its objectives and outcomes.
We participated in the HeritACT at the INHERIT Multi-Stakeholder Forum. This forum focused on showcasing and discussing sustainable practices, particularly under the New European Bauhaus (NEB) framework, in cultural heritage and retrofitting projects. It highlighted insights from Central and Eastern Europe, NEB-related initiatives, and the role of interdisciplinary collaboration for climate-conscious interventions.
We took part in the High-Level Policy Event and Workshop to Launch the Cultural Heritage Cloud, contributing to discussions on the future of digital heritage and cloud-based solutions for cultural preservation.
In the picture, HeritACT presentation at the 2nd Kuyavian-Pomeranian Cultural Congress (Poland, 23-24/10/2024)
2024 marked the most dynamic phase of networking activities for HeritACT, as the project advanced significantly in its research and development. While the toolkit and some methodologies are now ready for others to adopt and promote, the research remains ongoing, with a continued focus on gathering input from other projects to foster cross-fertilisation, ensuring our activities remain collaborative and impactful. These efforts will gain even greater momentum in 2025, further amplifying HeritACT's reach and fostering meaningful partnerships. HeritACT's upcoming plans include a range of strategic actions to enhance collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the practical application of its tools:
Continuing to introduce and demonstrate HeritACT tools and methodologies to diverse audiences.
Strengthening partnerships with key projects, such as RESILIAGE, MASTER MINE, Games for Culture, GINNGER, ECHOES-among other projects-, and expanding knowledge sharing on sustainability, gaming and participatory methodologies for and with cultural heritage.
Engaging in global initiatives, such as the UNESCO’s Dive into Heritage programme and the ICCROM’s Sustaining Digital Heritage (SDH) programme.
