The ‘Data4UA’ project has been launched to improve cultural heritage management in Ukraine

The implementation of the “Data4UA” project began on 1 November 2023. The aim of the project is to improve data-driven cultural heritage management in Ukraine. The project will run from 1 November 2023 to 30 April 2025 and brings together an international consortium of partners: Lviv Polytechnic National University (Ukraine), Space4CC (Greece/Norway), the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), with researchers from the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia (LU LFMI) acting as project coordinators. The project is supported by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme.

The main objectives of the project are to assess the actions taken by higher education institutions and society in response to emergency situations in the field of cultural heritage in Ukraine; to improve the knowledge and skills of higher education staff and students in cultural heritage protection; and to explore the role of higher education institutions in fostering societal responses to emergencies related to cultural heritage.

In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the project is designed to support and strengthen cultural heritage data management, with particular emphasis on cultural heritage education and training systems. As wars and armed conflicts continue to threaten cultural heritage worldwide, digital technologies play a crucial role in the preservation and protection of these invaluable assets. UNESCO has emphasized this in its document “Protecting and Promoting Cultural Diversity in the Digital Age.” Data4UA focuses on staff and students of European higher education institutions, providing opportunities to expand their competences, particularly in the field of citizen-generated digital cultural heritage data and digital governance training. The project includes a series of interactive learning activities based on a prototype model for enriching cultural heritage data ecosystems, in which public participation also plays a significant role.

“The importance of this project is invaluable,” says Sanita Reinsone, Leading Researcher at LU LFMI. “Given the harsh circumstances faced by Ukraine, focusing on education and training in the field of cultural heritage is not only a practical necessity but also carries high moral value. Our partners are well-established and innovation-oriented institutions, including the start-up Space4CC, and together we will promote the adoption of digital technologies in higher education, strengthening the role of universities in preserving endangered cultural values. The knowledge and skills gained will not only reinforce higher education institutions but will also benefit society at large. Ukrainian cultural heritage currently needs as much international attention as possible, and we are honored to contribute to its preservation and protection.”

Data4UA seeks to improve teaching and learning processes by integrating new technologies into cultural heritage preservation and protection through innovative and creative collaboration in educational activities. For the project implementers, the development and dissemination of comprehensive and well-structured materials and services—such as online modules, webinars, and citizen data-collection initiatives—is of key importance. The goal is to serve as an example of fostering innovation in cultural heritage education, reaching not only higher education but also a wider audience, thereby providing significant added value at various levels, including higher education, cultural studies, and civil society.

More information about the project:
https://www.data4ua.eu

Project No. 2023-1-LV01-KA220-HED-000166558