Innovative possibilities for inter-regional networking

MetaHeritage

Project Title: Metaverse and Heritage Routes as Innovative Approaches for Networking, Capacity Building and Interregional Investments
Runtime: 01.01.2025-31.12.2026
Call: Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument (I3)
Project Number: 101180388

Project Overview

Using virtual and smart heritage tourism as the main framework, the MetaHeritage project explores “out-of-the-box” approaches and innovative possibilities for inter-regional networking. Thus, increasing the capacity of regional innovation ecosystems in less developed regions and coordinated and interconnected interregional investment attraction strategies and tactics. The MetaHeritage Project, funded by the European Union, combines cutting-edge technologies such as the Metaverse with cultural heritage to create new business models, strengthen regional innovation ecosystems, and promote sustainable tourism. 

Project Aims

The project’s key goals include: 

  • Promoting Sustainable Growth: Integrating digital innovation with heritage tourism and entrepreneurship. 
  • Enhancing Regional Collaboration: Connecting businesses, academia, government agencies, and civil society to foster interregional and inter-sectoral collaboration. 
  • Tackling Regional Disparities: Providing tools and resources for underrepresented regions to access EU innovation networks and funding opportunities. 

It consists of 7 work packages, each focusing on a specific topic. TMO is mainly involved in WP7, supporting the dissemination and communication activities. We’ll keep you posted on any news concerning MetaHeritage.

Project Partners

Universidade de Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro (Coordinator)Clust-ER Innovatzione nei servizi Conferencia de rectores de las Universidades del suroeste europeo 
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena European Cluster Alliance Fundação da Casa de Mateus 
Associazione Clust-ER Turismo Universidade dos Acores Fundação Côa Parque 
Time Machine OrganisationTechnische Universität Dresden Fundacao Gaspar Frutuoso 
European Historic Houses Asociación Clúster Empresarial de Turismo de Galicia Turismo Porto e Norte ER 

Contact

Orquidea Ribeiro at oribeiro@utad.pt (Coordinator) and Antonia Bobik at antonia.bobik@timemachine.eu (Communication)

News

The project consortium will convene on 30 January 2025 at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro in Vila Real, Portugal, for its official kick-off meeting. The event will feature organizational discussions, inspiring talks, and team-building activities to lay the foundation for the project’s success over the next two years.