The CHARTER Alliance was highlighted in the recommendation released by the European Commission on the 10 November 2021 in relation to a “common European data space for cultural heritage”.

The EU recommendation addresses the digital shift the sector has undergone. New technologies allowed the possibility to digitise cultural heritage assets and reach further audiences. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has made evident the need to accelerate digital transformation and offer equal opportunities within the sector.

The Commission encourages Member States to put in place “appropriate frameworks to enhance the recovery and transformation of the cultural heritage sector and support cultural heritage institutions in becoming more empowered and more resilient in the future”. Among the different focuses and areas to be monitored and improved, section 15 of the document establishes the following:

“As underlined in the European Skills Agenda (14), the COVID-19 pandemic has widened the already existing digital skills gap, while new inequalities have been emerging, as many professionals do not have the required level of digital skills that are needed at the workplace. This is also valid for the cultural heritage sector, where the digital divide leaves small institutions (e.g. museums) in particular struggling to make use of advanced technologies, such as 3D or artificial intelligence. Therefore, in line with the European Skills Agenda and its first flagship initiative, the Pact for Skills, and in support of the European Pillar of Social Rights action plan (15), Member States should set specific targets for upskilling or reskilling cultural heritage professionals. Complementary to this, and building on the Blueprint Alliance for cultural heritage (CHARTER), the cultural and creative industries, as one of the 14 eco-systems identified by the single market strategy, are currently building a large-scale partnership for skills development that should join the Pact for Skills.”

You can read the full recommendation here.