Online competence centre in 3D for Cultural Heritage : Time Machine Europe

Project title: Online Competence Centre in 3D for Cultural Heritage
Acronym: 3D-4CH
Duration: Start 1 February 2025 – 36 months
Topic: DIGITAL-2024-CLOUD-DATA-AI-06-COMPET
Call: DIGITAL-2024-CLOUD-DATA-AI-06
Type of Action: DIGITAL-DATA
Keywords: Cultural heritage, 3D digitisation, 3D technologies, 3D tools, 3D contents, Artificial Intelligence, XR, VR

Shaping the Future of Cultural Heritage with the “Online Competence Centre in 3D for Cultural Heritage”

The EU-funded project Online Competence Centre in 3D for Cultural Heritage (3D-4CH) is an ambitious and forward-thinking initiative designed to transform how cultural heritage is preserved, digitized, and shared for educational and societal benefit. This groundbreaking project unites the rich history and cultural diversity of the European Union and Ukraine with cutting-edge technologies, setting a new benchmark for digital heritage innovation.

Building on the foundations of influential projects like it´s 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 like XRculture and 3DBigDataSpace, ensuring a constantly evolving ecosystem of tools, services, and expertise.

A Vision of Excellence

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Special Focus on Ukraine

At its heart, the project is deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and addressing urgent cultural needs. Inspired by the 4CH “SUM – Save Ukraine Monuments” initiative, the Centre places a strong emphasis on Ukrainian cultural heritage, actively involving Ukrainian CHIs in all project activities. By creating a dedicated pipeline for integrating Ukrainian 3D content into the European data space, the project seeks to preserve and celebrate Ukraine’s rich cultural legacy during challenging times.

Transformative Impact and Lasting Legacy

The Competence Centre for 3D is designed to be a beacon of progress and sustainability, delivering:

Expert Guidance and Validation: Insights from a prestigious Advisory Board of international scholars and a Stakeholder Panel of CHI representatives will ensure scientific rigor and practical relevance.

Sustainability and Accessibility: A comprehensive long-term data strategy rooted in open access, interoperability, and licensing standards will guarantee that all resources remain available for at least five years post-project.

Global Inspiration: A model for international collaboration and technological excellence that demonstrates the power of cultural heritage will strive to unite and inspire.

By blending advanced technologies with a deep respect for cultural diversity and historical significance, the Online Competence Centre for 3D promises to redefine how we preserve and experience our shared heritage. Join us in shaping a future where cultural treasures are not only safeguarded but celebrated and shared with the world.