The Commission recommends a common European data space for cultural heritage. The aim is to digitise by 2030 all monuments and sites that are at risk, and 50% of the most physically visited monuments and sites.
Europeana will be at the basis for building the common European data space for cultural heritage. A newly formed Commission Expert Group will monitor the implementation of the recommendation.
Executive Vice-President for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager, said: “The tragic burning of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris showed the importance of digitally preserving culture and the lockdowns highlighted the need for virtually accessible cultural heritage. A robust data infrastructure coupled to easy data pooling and sharing are the necessary ingredients of a common European data space for cultural heritage.”
Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said: “We owe the preservation of our European cultural heritage to future generations. This requires building and deploying our own technological capabilities, empowering people and businesses to enjoy and make the most of this heritage. We must take advantage of the opportunities brought by artificial intelligence, data, and extended reality. The European data space for cultural heritage will promote creation and innovation within the cultural heritage sector, and beyond, in education, tourism, and cultural and creative sectors.”
Read the press release on the European Commission website and download the recommendation here.