The workplan was defined according to the objectives below:
1)Obtaining a clear view of the current situation: following the start of the worldwide pandemic, a virtual Seminar 2 has been organised on July 2020 with more than 60 experts from 14 countries. It aimed at providing a feedback on the online platform, addressing collectively COVID-19 impacts and contingency plans, potential research solutions for cultural heritage protection, cross-cutting cooperation paths and policy recommendations. The outcomes were delivered in the public Forum 2, organised online on March 2021. In addition, about 130 references in 4 languages and a map of linked projects can be found in the project’s website.
2)Establishing an International network: 285 experts and stakeholders from 29 countries are registered in the network. Forum n°1 took place on February 2020, gathering more than 100 attendees. Sharing, understanding and acknowledging different methods and approaches require time and mutual listening. This is a prerequisite to efficient collaborative work. Bringing together various professional communities allows a fruitful discussion on the feasibility and acceptability of some potential innovative technological solutions by the end-users.
3)Training stakeholders: Capacity building and education activities were organised and enhanced. “Provenance and Traceability” training module took place on February 2020. “Preservation & reconstruction” and “Remote sensing & Earth Observation” training modules were delivered online in Period 2. A MOOC has been run from 1 to 28 March 2021 and was available until the end of May 2021, gathering more than 200 registrations and 100 active participants, trained by 18 professionals, constituting a reusable teaching content. A state of the art and feasibility study for a new, interdisciplinary European Degree has been prepared.
4)Managing the collaborative Platform: based on the practitioners’ requirements, major features of the Platform were defined. It is available and operational. Improvements have been identified and implemented in Period 2. The Platform is a unique portal, a data centre that gathers resources and expertise, where to find key information and links to relevant contents. Experts from the involved professional fields can meet, open a discussion and find answers, involving other experts.
5)Defining an international framework: experts from 29 countries are involved. Following Seminar 2, Research and Technology roadmaps to face illicit trafficking of cultural goods were proposed. A best practices repository and a Recommendations booklet have been edited. Regarding the art market, an assessment of the opportunity to define a Chart and a Label has been proposed.
6)Raising awareness: the dissemination and communication strategy has targeted three kinds of audience: Policy makers, Professionals and General public - especially young people who can directly engage in changing the current situation, as they are doing for the climate change emergency. Two public forums, two thematic webinars and one Youtube live event took place. Following a cooperation with the Youtuber Charlie Danger, a video targeting the young audience was produced. A Public Alert Protocol was edited, which is intended to encourage citizens to take action. Two more communication plans and policy briefs have been submitted. 10 newsletters were published on the website and sent to the interested community.
