We are excited to announce that IN2 is taking a leadership role in the 3D-4CH (Online Competence Centre in 3D for Cultural Heritage) project, a cutting-edge EU-funded initiative aimed at transforming how cultural heritage is preserved, digitized, and shared. As the leader of the work package dedicated to Impact Measurement and Long-Term Sustainability, we are honoured to contribute to the project’s ambitious vision of integrating advanced 3D technologies to safeguard cultural treasures for generations to come.

Building on the foundations of influential projects like its preceding EU-funded project 4CH (Competence Centre for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage), DS4CH (Common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage), and 5Dculture (Deploying and Demonstrating a 3D Cultural Heritage Space), this Centre aims to elevate the role of 3D digitization and advanced technologies in cultural preservation. It also looks to the future with forthcoming collaborations with two other projects in which IN2 is involved in (XRculture and 3DBigDataSpace) ensuring a constantly evolving ecosystem of tools, services, and expertise.

The 3D-4CH project, launched on 1 February 2025, is a 36-month endeavour comprising of 20 partners that focuses on the digitization of cultural heritage through 3D technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), and other next-gen tools. This initiative represents a significant step in the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage, bringing together institutions, researchers, and practitioners from across Europe and Ukraine to create an innovative online competence centre for 3D digitization.

The Online Competence Centre for 3D is more than a repository — it is aiming to be a vibrant hub for innovation, collaboration, and learning. Designed as a fully online platform, it will bring together leading cultural heritage institutions (CHIs), researchers, and practitioners to unlock the full potential of 3D technologies. By leveraging the extensive networks of E-RIHS (European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science) and national nodes established through 4CH, the Centre will deliver transformative impact across four key pillars:

1. Training and Capacity Building
Cultural professionals will be empowered with a suite of interactive online courses, in-person workshops, and immersive seasonal schools. Developed in partnership with universities and training centers, these programmes will offer certifications, ensuring participants gain both knowledge and formal recognition of their expertise.

2. Services and Tools
A curated collection of cutting-edge resources, including guidelines, best practices, and state-of-the-art tools in 3D digitization, artificial intelligence (AI), and extended reality (XR) will be provided. These resources will support a wide range of applications, from education and research to tourism and public engagement, ensuring broad societal impact.

3. 3D Deployment
The creation of new, high-quality 3D cultural assets will be championed and existing ones enhanced. By integrating standards for metadata, paradata, and sustainable archiving, the Centre will contribute to a unified and accessible European cultural data space.

4. Research and Development
By collaborating with leading research initiatives and through continuous exploration and the adoption of next-generation technologies, the Centre will ensure the seamless application of new methodologies to real-world cultural heritage challenges.

In addition, the project places a special focus on Ukraine, recognizing the urgent need to preserve and integrate Ukrainian cultural heritage into the European cultural space, especially during these challenging times. This commitment aligns with the 4CH “SUM – Save Ukraine Monuments” initiative, ensuring that Ukrainian cultural heritage is actively represented in the project and integrated into the European data space.

As the leader of the work package responsible for Impact Measurement and Long-Term Sustainability, we are tasked with ensuring that the 3D-4CH project delivers not only immediate benefits but also lasting value. This is why it will be key to first of all identify all the target groups and tailor the proposed services to their specific needs and establishing a robust impact measurement framework that evaluate the effectiveness and reach of the project’s initiatives. Another key activity will be the engagement of a Stakeholder Panel to review and guide project outputs, ensuring alignment with stakeholder expectations. Finally, it will be necessary to create a long-terms sustainability plan and a comprehensive  data strategy rooted in open access, interoperability, and licensing standards that will guarantee that all resources remain available for at least five years post-project. Our team is committed to guide these activities, engaging with diverse cultural heritage stakeholders, bridging and linking initiatives and delivering data-driven insights to guide the project’s development and ensure its long-term sustainability.

As the project moves forward, we will continue to engage with our partners to refine the methodologies and technologies that will be used to achieve the project’s objectives. A first in-person meeting will take place in Trento on the 18th of February 2025, with a public sessions taking place on the next day, 19th of February.  

Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward in this exciting journey to reshape how 3D cultural heritage is preserved and experienced.

For more information on the 3D-4CH project, visit the official project website: https://www.3d4ch-competencecentre.eu/

Join us in shaping the future of 3D cultural heritage!

Funded by the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union Under Grant Agreement No 101195149