Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BCThubs (Blue Culture Technology Excellence Hubs in EU Widening Member States)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-03-31
The BCThubs project, also known as Blue Culture Technology Excellence Hubs, is an ambitious initiative aimed at fostering regional innovation excellence in the emerging field of Blue Culture Technology (BCT). This project is set within the broader context of addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with underwater cultural heritage (UWCH), including limited public awareness, restricted access to underwater sites, and the need for advanced technological solutions to preserve and promote these cultural assets.
Key Background Information
Underwater cultural heritage is a significant yet underexplored aspect of our global cultural heritage, comprising shipwrecks, submerged settlements, and other artifacts lying beneath our seas and oceans. Despite its importance, the preservation and study of UWCH face numerous challenges due to the harsh marine environment, limited funding, and the complexities of underwater archaeology. These challenges necessitate innovative approaches and collaborative efforts to ensure the effective protection and sustainable use of UWCH.
Motivation Behind the Project
The BCThubs project was conceived to tackle these challenges by creating a robust network of excellence hubs in Greece, Bulgaria, and Malta. These hubs are designed to foster cross-border collaboration, integrating scientific, societal, economic, and technical efforts to enhance regional innovation in BCT. The project aims to address the identified problems and needs through a comprehensive strategy that includes stakeholder engagement, development of innovative technologies, and the promotion of public awareness and education about UWCH.
Overall Objectives
The primary objectives of the BCThubs project are:
● Establishment of Excellence Hubs and EU-wide BCT Cluster: To create and reinforce place-based innovation ecosystems in Greece, Bulgaria, and Malta through cross-border collaboration.
● Development of Joint R&I Strategy: To formulate a cohesive research and innovation strategy tailored to the needs of each hub, facilitating effective policy decision-making and promoting sustainable blue economy practices.
● Implementation of Innovative R&I Prototypes: To develop and test cutting-edge technologies that support underwater research, enhance site accessibility, and ensure the health and safety of divers.
● Preparation of an Investment Strategy: To devise a sustainable investment plan that attracts funding and supports the long-term goals of the BCT hubs.
● Engagement in Outreach Activities: To engage stakeholders, promote UWCH, and foster a sense of shared European cultural heritage through educational and public awareness campaigns.
Expected Impact
The expected impacts of the BCThubs project are manifold. By advancing technological capabilities and fostering collaborative research, the project aims to:
● Enhance the preservation and accessibility of UWCH: Through the development and deployment of innovative technologies such as 3D/4D reconstruction, electro-resistivity devices, and augmented reality applications.
● Promote regional economic growth: By creating new high-quality jobs, upskilling existing professionals, and fostering sustainable maritime cultural tourism.
● Strengthen international cooperation: By building a resilient EU-wide BCT cluster that supports effective ocean governance and maritime spatial planning.
● Increase public awareness and engagement: By raising visibility of maritime cultural heritage and promoting its significance through educational initiatives and public outreach.
Key Background Information
Underwater cultural heritage is a significant yet underexplored aspect of our global cultural heritage, comprising shipwrecks, submerged settlements, and other artifacts lying beneath our seas and oceans. Despite its importance, the preservation and study of UWCH face numerous challenges due to the harsh marine environment, limited funding, and the complexities of underwater archaeology. These challenges necessitate innovative approaches and collaborative efforts to ensure the effective protection and sustainable use of UWCH.
Motivation Behind the Project
The BCThubs project was conceived to tackle these challenges by creating a robust network of excellence hubs in Greece, Bulgaria, and Malta. These hubs are designed to foster cross-border collaboration, integrating scientific, societal, economic, and technical efforts to enhance regional innovation in BCT. The project aims to address the identified problems and needs through a comprehensive strategy that includes stakeholder engagement, development of innovative technologies, and the promotion of public awareness and education about UWCH.
Overall Objectives
The primary objectives of the BCThubs project are:
● Establishment of Excellence Hubs and EU-wide BCT Cluster: To create and reinforce place-based innovation ecosystems in Greece, Bulgaria, and Malta through cross-border collaboration.
● Development of Joint R&I Strategy: To formulate a cohesive research and innovation strategy tailored to the needs of each hub, facilitating effective policy decision-making and promoting sustainable blue economy practices.
● Implementation of Innovative R&I Prototypes: To develop and test cutting-edge technologies that support underwater research, enhance site accessibility, and ensure the health and safety of divers.
● Preparation of an Investment Strategy: To devise a sustainable investment plan that attracts funding and supports the long-term goals of the BCT hubs.
● Engagement in Outreach Activities: To engage stakeholders, promote UWCH, and foster a sense of shared European cultural heritage through educational and public awareness campaigns.
Expected Impact
The expected impacts of the BCThubs project are manifold. By advancing technological capabilities and fostering collaborative research, the project aims to:
● Enhance the preservation and accessibility of UWCH: Through the development and deployment of innovative technologies such as 3D/4D reconstruction, electro-resistivity devices, and augmented reality applications.
● Promote regional economic growth: By creating new high-quality jobs, upskilling existing professionals, and fostering sustainable maritime cultural tourism.
● Strengthen international cooperation: By building a resilient EU-wide BCT cluster that supports effective ocean governance and maritime spatial planning.
● Increase public awareness and engagement: By raising visibility of maritime cultural heritage and promoting its significance through educational initiatives and public outreach.
In the first 15 months of the BCThubs project, significant progress was made towards the objectives of the project associated with active Tasks. Efforts to implement innovative R&I prototype solutions for underwater cultural heritage (UWCH), and engagement in communication and outreaching activities were initiated. The project also advanced in developing a cross-border joint R&I Strategy and Action Plan, mapping and analysing the 4 helix stakeholders of each Hub and implementing an endorsement campaign. Methodology and initial plans for the realisation of the training workshops and secondments in WP4 are in progress, with the first trainings already planned for 2024.
Regarding the physical spaces that will host the three Hubs, initial plans have been made, and the project is in the process of moving forward with their implementation. In Greece, the Hub will be initially housed within the University of Thessaly in Volos with additional efforts underway to find a space for potential allocation. In Bulgaria, the Hub will be located near the town of Sozopol, in CUA’s premises, with renovation works already underway. In Malta, the Hub is currently housed within the ITS Qala Campus in Gozo, with plans to relocate to new premises in SmartCity Kalkara by the end of 2026.
Main achievements:
● WP2 technology prototypes are being developed (lab testing in progress).
● Stakeholders detailed mapping and context analysis; ongoing endorsement campaign.
● Elaboration of the joint R&I Strategy and Action Plan; first individualisation at Hub-level.
● Analysis of the physical space to host each of the three Hubs and arrangements for their establishment.
● Analysis of the training gaps of the ecosystem stakeholders in each Hub: elaboration of a detailed plan of training workshops linked to respective target groups.
● Implementation of all necessary communication instruments (website, logo, poster, flyer, newsletter etc), social media campaign, abstracts and posters for scientific conferences, project presentation in a variety of events, preparations for the organization of the 1st BCThubs International Conference in December 2024.
Regarding the physical spaces that will host the three Hubs, initial plans have been made, and the project is in the process of moving forward with their implementation. In Greece, the Hub will be initially housed within the University of Thessaly in Volos with additional efforts underway to find a space for potential allocation. In Bulgaria, the Hub will be located near the town of Sozopol, in CUA’s premises, with renovation works already underway. In Malta, the Hub is currently housed within the ITS Qala Campus in Gozo, with plans to relocate to new premises in SmartCity Kalkara by the end of 2026.
Main achievements:
● WP2 technology prototypes are being developed (lab testing in progress).
● Stakeholders detailed mapping and context analysis; ongoing endorsement campaign.
● Elaboration of the joint R&I Strategy and Action Plan; first individualisation at Hub-level.
● Analysis of the physical space to host each of the three Hubs and arrangements for their establishment.
● Analysis of the training gaps of the ecosystem stakeholders in each Hub: elaboration of a detailed plan of training workshops linked to respective target groups.
● Implementation of all necessary communication instruments (website, logo, poster, flyer, newsletter etc), social media campaign, abstracts and posters for scientific conferences, project presentation in a variety of events, preparations for the organization of the 1st BCThubs International Conference in December 2024.
WP2 is actively developing innovative technologies anticipated to advance the state of the art. At this stage, we have not yet achieved these advancements as final results are still pending.