Special edition of EuroMed2026 Digital Heritage Summit —Europe’s leading platform for research, policy dialogue, and technological innovation in Digital Cultural Heritage → 26-29 mai 2026   | Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol (Cyprus)

Held at a critical point in the implementation of the European Commission’s recommendation for the creation of a common European data space in the field of Cultural Heritage, the EuroMed2026 Digital Heritage Summit is an opportunity for policymakers, academia, memory institutions, and industry experts to come together in the shaping of the new era in the digital transformation of Cultural Heritage in Europe and worldwide.

→ Why This Summit Matters
From AI-driven analysis and immersive XR experiences to advanced 3D digitisation and new data governance-approaches, the Cultural Heritage sector is undergoing profound structural change as digital technologies redefine Cultural Heritage documentation, protection, interpretation and reuse.

The Digital Heritage Summit 2026 will address:

• • The strategic role of Digital Cultural Heritage in developing European policy
  • AI, XR, & advanced visualisation of cultural heritage for research & public engagement
  • Digital sovereignty, data spaces, & data interoperability
  • Ethical, inclusive, & sustainable innovation
  • Cultural heritage protection against looting, destruction, climate risk, & illicit trafficking
  • The contribution of heritage to competitiveness, education, tourism, & regional development

The Summit positions Cultural Heritage not only as a field of academic study, but as a driver of innovation, resilience, and cross sector cooperation within the EU and internationally.

→ What to Expect from the Summit?
Across four days, the Summit combines high-level policy exchange with research excellence and practical experimentation:

1. 1. Policy & Leadership Forum
      Strategic roundtables bringing together EU institutions, policymakers, research infrastructures, and heritage stakeholders to align Digital Heritage priorities with European agendas.
   2. Scientific & Research Exchange
      Peer engagement on cutting-edge methodologies, standards, and emerging technologies, strengthening collaboration across universities, research centres and memory institutions.
   3. Innovation & Technology Exhibition
      Live demonstrations of advanced digitisation tools, AI applications, 3D workflows, XR environments, and data platforms for Cultural Heritage.
   4. Project Showcase
      Focused sessions presenting flagship EU-funded projects and cross-border initiatives, showing who is doing what, where and how in the field and promoting new networks, partnerships and future consortia.

The Summit will also host HackIt!4EU, a two-day hackathon marking the culmination of the Twin it! 3D Part II campaign by Europeana and the European Commission—mobilising young innovators and professionals alike to explore and innovate with the Twin It! pan-European collection of 3D heritage models.

→ Who Should Attend the Summit?
The Digital Heritage Summit 2026 is designed for:

• • Cultural Heritage institutions
  • EU & national policymakers
  • Funding agencies & programme managers
  • University researchers and research infrastructures
  • Cultural Heritage professionals & conservators
  • Digital innovation hubs & technology providers

Whether you are formulating policy, conducting research, managing collections, or developing technology, the Summit provides a unique platform to influence Europe’s Digital Cultural Heritage agenda.

→ Strategic Partnerships & the European Dimension
The Summit is organised in cooperation with leading European initiatives and institutions, including:

• • European Commission (DG CONNECT)
  • Europeana Foundation
  • The EU Digital Europe EUreka3D-XR project and The EUreka3D Competence Center
  • Time Machine Organisation
  • The Artificial Intelligence for Libraries, Archives & Museums Group (AI4LAM)
  • The EU Horizon Europe projects HERITALISE, STECCI, and IMPULSE

This cooperation between key European partners ensures that discussions will move beyond theory to developing concrete frameworks, funding instruments, and implementation pathways.

→ Essential Information

What: EuroMed2026 – Digital Heritage Summit When: 26–29 May 2026 Where: Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus Participation: Free of charge (registration mandatory via the Summit website) Contact/Correspondence: unesco_dch@cut.ac.cy More Information: https://digitalheritagesummit.eu/

 

The EuroMed2026 Digital Heritage Summit is held under the auspices of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union and organised by the UNESCO Chair on Digital Cultural Heritage at the Cyprus University of Technology, in partnership with Heritage Malta.

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