On 7 October 2024, the European Heritage Hub gathered 400 attendees both in person and online for the second Hub Forum, ‘Championing a responsible digital transition for and with cultural heritage’. This hybrid event was held at the magnificent historic Royal Palace – National Museum of Art, located in the heart of Bucharest, Romania.
The Forum was organised under the framework of the EU-funded European Heritage Hub pilot project, powered by the Europeana Foundation and Europa Nostra in collaboration with the Hub consortium, and was a key highlight of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2024.
Building on the success of the inaugural European Heritage Hub Forum in Venice in 2023, this edition explored the themes of a socially and environmentally responsible digital transition for and with cultural heritage. It featured two interconnected components. First, policy conversations brought together heritage experts, decision-makers and Hub stakeholders to assess the digital transformation of the sector, focusing on Artificial Intelligence and climate action. Second, an interactive fair showcased eight diverse projects that leverage digital technologies to promote sustainability, inclusion and diversity in the heritage sector, complementing discussions with hands-on action.
The main outcome was the Call to Action ‘Championing a Responsible Digital Transition for and with Cultural Heritage’. Incorporating diverse perspectives from leading (digital) heritage experts, policymakers at all levels, and representatives from civil society from all across Europe, the Call outlines five key priorities for cultural heritage in the context of digital transformation, which hold particular significance with the newly elected EU institutions.
Opening, policy context and scene setting
The Forum opened with a powerful video message from Sabine Verheyen, Vice-President of the European Parliament, who expressed her enthusiasm and support for the European Heritage Hub pilot project. She emphasised the importance of the Forum discussions and outcomes in “shaping Europe’s digital future, where heritage plays a crucial role”.
Following her address, Oana Zaharia, Manager of the National Institute of Heritage, spoke on behalf of the Romanian Ministry of Culture. She outlined the Institute’s efforts and ambitions in digital transformation, highlighting its role as the proud Europeana national Aggregator in Romania.
In his remarks on behalf of the European Heritage Hub, Harry Verwayen, General Director of the Europeana Foundation, emphasised the strong connection between the digital transition of the heritage ecosystem and its social and environmental responsibilities. He positioned digital cultural heritage as a key contributor to Europe’s triple transition which will demand, above all, a true cultural shift.
Highlighting AI in cultural heritage
The first panel conversation focused on the responsible use of AI in our sector, featuring insights from Oonagh Murphy, Senior Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London, and a video provocation by Paul Keller, Co-Founder of Open Future.
Panellists included Sofie Taes, Innovation Manager at KU Leuven; Susanna Ånäs, Interim Executive Director at Open Knowledge Finland; and Eirini Kaldeli, Senior Researcher at the National Technical University of Athens, moderated by Johan Oomen from The Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision. Pierluigi Sacco, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Chieti-Pescara, delivered the concluding remarks.
Contributors emphasised that AI – much like cultural heritage – should be viewed as a public good, requiring ethical frameworks for its use. The potential of the creative and cultural sectors to provide a platform for critical technology discourse was also highlighted. Contributors called for greater support for cultural heritage professionals to engage critically with AI use and development. Notably, the current market offerings lag behind the advanced solutions being tested by big tech. To help the cultural heritage sector catch up, it is essential to secure funding, develop use cases, share insights, and encourage policymakers to invest in best practices for AI.
Exploring heritage and climate action
The second panel conversation focused on an environmentally responsible digital transition in cultural heritage. Insights were shared by Michelle Thorne, Director for Strategy and Partnerships at the Green Web Foundation, along with a provocation from Michael Peter Edson, founding director of the Museum of Solutions.
Moderated by Andrew Potts, Heritage and Climate Action Advisor at Europa Nostra, the panel included contributions from Marco Fiore, Policy Manager at the Michael Culture Association; Anna Canato, Head of Division, Knowledge and Impact at the European Investment Bank Institute; and Michael Peter Edson. Tanja Mlaker, Director for culture at the City of Eindhoven, provided the concluding remarks.
Contributors advocated for transparency regarding the environmental costs of technology, and for developing digital infrastructures that serve the public good and operate within planetary boundaries. They emphasised the need for strengthening democratic participation in decision-making about digital infrastructures and strategies, as well as the importance of education and involvement of young people. Thoughtful and informed choices, which often involve trade-offs, were also highlighted as essential. When funding and investing in the digital heritage sector, careful consideration should be given to potential climate impacts and opportunities for climate adaptation.
Networking and best practices: The Interactive Fair
The Interactive Fair showcased projects at the intersection of digital heritage and social and green transformations, from AI platforms for cultural heritage to 3D and XR applications that promote sustainable tourism and accessibility for visually impaired audiences.
The Fair highlighted eight projects: AI4Culture, ARCTUR, DE-BIAS, The Hunt Museum, MuseIT, Tijdlab, 5D Culture, and EUreka3D. Participants had the opportunity to engage with hands-on digital technology, network, and exchange ideas in an inspiring and interactive setting.
Launching the European Heritage Hub Call to Action
During the concluding session of the Forum, Harry Verwayen, General Director of the Europeana Foundation, and Graham Bell, Board Member of Europa Nostra, presented the European Heritage Hub Call to Action, titled ‘Championing a Responsible Digital Transition for and with Cultural Heritage‘.
Collaboratively prepared by the European Heritage Hub partners, with the Europeana Foundation and Europa Nostra leading the effort, the Call to Action builds on the Forum discussions and incorporates input from contributors. As a tangible outcome of the Forum, it serves as an advocacy tool to convey key messages to policymakers at all levels of governance, outlining five priorities to advance a holistic digital transformation in cultural heritage.
Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra, and Bailie Annette Christie, Glasgow City Convener for Culture, Sport, and International Relations, responded to the Call to Action, highlighting its strategic value in guiding the Hub’s work. They urged policymakers to subscribe to the Call and support its strategic priorities – from securing funding for the sector’s digital transformation, to advancing research and skills development, developing sector-specific AI guidelines and harnessing digital heritage to promote environmentally responsible practices.
To the future
The Forum provided an inspiring platform to discuss how the heritage ecosystem is advancing its socially and environmentally responsible digital transition, marking a beginning rather than an end.
In the coming months, the Hub will disseminate its Call to Action, urging policymakers to address the five outlined priorities, especially as the newly elected EU Institutions are beginning their mandate. We will continue to focus on knowledge sharing, networking, peer learning, and advocacy to support these efforts.
Additionally, the third European Heritage Hub Forum will be held in Budva, Montenegro, in spring 2025, focusing on the social transformation of the heritage sector and building on the discussions from Bucharest.
Want to know more?
Join the European Heritage Hub Social Forum to keep the conversation going. We also invite you to participate in the Heritage Horizons Europeana Project Week on November 25, featuring a session on the European Heritage Hub’s activities, as well as the second ‘Heritage Dialogues’ webinar, this time focusing on the digital transition.
programme booklet | video recording | photo selection | x thread | instagram stories | call to action
