Promoting a digital environment for Europe’s cultural heritage
The EU-funded ECHOES(opens in new window) project has launched a new call(opens in new window) to support digitisation, preservation, research and collaboration in Europe’s cultural heritage sector. The second of its calls so far, it aims to promote engagement and collaboration with its Cultural Heritage Cloud.
Delving into the cloud
The Cultural Heritage Cloud – also called the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage, or ECCCH – is a shared platform created by ECHOES. It connects cultural heritage institutions (CHIs), including museums, archives, libraries, researchers and conservators across the EU, providing them with access to data, scientific resources, training and advanced digital tools tailored to their needs. The platform is built on the principles of open science, which support inclusion and make knowledge and digital resources accessible to all. Its purpose is to foster a digital environment where a new kind of shared heritage – known as the Digital Commons – can emerge.
About the call
Launched in September 2025, the call is part of the ECHOES Cascading Grants Programme. It targets non-profit CHIs – especially small and medium-sized ones – working to raise awareness of the ECCCH and expand its community. Participating institutions will receive assistance in overcoming challenges related to digital transition, while also promoting cross-border cooperation and innovation. The call will support up to 20 projects, with up to EUR 29 800 available per project. Projects should involve CHIs working with tangible and/or intangible heritage and support skills development and capacity building, especially for small and medium-sized CHIs. Participating CHIs must deliver results within 12 to 24 months. There are several benefits to taking part. The call offers CHIs the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines and borders and boosts visibility and international reach. It makes it possible to manage and share collections cost-effectively through the platform, in a collaborative environment. It also provides access to cutting-edge digital tools that many CHIs would otherwise not be able to afford. Last but not least, it enables CHIs to create virtual exhibitions, 3D reconstructions, educational apps and other innovative services. What should projects keep in mind? They should have a wide geographical reach and engage a significant number of CHIs. Activities supported by the call include workshops, webinars, online courses, toolkits, manuals and other training materials, and informational events on ECCCH benefits, as well as surveys to identify sector challenges and opportunities. Other activities include helpdesks providing tailored support and feedback, and hackathons, co-design sessions and other creative engagement formats. More details about the call can be found in the Guide for Applicants that can be downloaded(opens in new window) from the second call page of the ECHOES (European Cloud for Heritage OpEn Science) website. To help interested heritage professionals and researchers, the project held an information session(opens in new window) on 6 November 2025 that can now be viewed on YouTube. The deadline for submissions is 30 January 2026. For more information, please see: ECHOES project website(opens in new window)