[CENL-EC] Urgent: your support is needed for the sustainability of the common European data space for cultural heritage

[Schust, Stefanie]

Dear all,

Please find attached the reply we received.

Best regards
Stefanie


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Von: CENL-EC [mailto:cenl-ec-bounces at lists.dnb.de] Im Auftrag von Scholze, Frank
Gesendet: Donnerstag, 31. Oktober 2024 09:17
An: cenl-ec at lists.dnb.de
Cc: CENL <CENL at dnb.de>
Betreff: [CENL-EC] WG: Urgent: your support is needed for the sustainability of the common European data space for cultural heritage

Dear all,

maybe some of you have got this appeal for support by Europeana as well. I intend to send a letter of support to the Commission in my capacity as chair of CENL. If you have any objections please let me know by November 6th.

Thanks and best regards
Frank


Von: Harry Verwayen [mailto:harry.verwayen at europeana.eu]
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 30. Oktober 2024 15:28
An: Scholze, Frank <F.Scholze at dnb.de<mailto:F.Scholze at dnb.de>>
Cc: Shadi Ardalan <shadi.ardalan at europeana.eu<mailto:shadi.ardalan at europeana.eu>>; Lorena Aldana <lorena.aldana at europeana.eu<mailto:lorena.aldana at europeana.eu>>
Betreff: Urgent: your support is needed for the sustainability of the common European data space for cultural heritage

To the personal attention of Mr. Frank Scholze
Director General, Deutsche Nationalbibliothek and Chair, Conference of European National Librarians (CENL)

Dear Frank,

I hope this email finds you well.

As you may know Europeana has entered the next phase of its evolution, where we aim to develop further into a data space that supports the digital transformation of cultural heritage institutions across Europe. In the past two years, we have established a robust and interoperable infrastructure built on Europeana, collaborated with thousands of institutions like yours to enhance both the quantity and quality of data, and strengthened our partnerships while offering transformative support to the sector. With this strong foundation, the data space can scale operations, drive innovation and deliver even greater value. By leveraging our shared cultural capital, this work aims to contribute to the open, knowledgeable and creative societies our world urgently needs. However, achieving these ambitions demands a budget that matches their scale.

I am writing to express my serious concerns, shared by many in Europe’s digital cultural landscape, regarding the financial sustainability of the common European data space for cultural heritage<https://www.dataspace-culturalheritage.eu/en>, led by the Europeana Initiative. I kindly ask for your support in addressing this critical issue.

We believe that the data space can play a crucial role in accelerating our sector’s digital transformation. It fosters innovation and enhances accessibility and reuse of cultural collections. This EU flagship initiative empowers cultural institutions to boost the online visibility of their collections, reaching untapped audiences at scale and unlocking new opportunities for connection, innovation and discovery. It also provides tailored support to heritage professionals, driving experimentation and transformative change across the sector.

The data space is funded by the EU’s Digital Europe Programme, and its future is at a critical juncture. As the European Commission and EU Member States finalise the Work Plan for 2025-2027, the alarming level of underfunding in the current proposal cannot be overlooked. Importantly, the data space is the only earmarked cultural investment within the Digital Europe Programme.

The current draft of the Work Plan allocates an annual budget of €7.5 million for the data space. According to current financial needs and future projections, this allocation is nearly 40% short of the necessary funding. This insufficient amount, combined with stagnant budget allocations, jeopardises the operational capacity of the data space and undermines the ambitions of the Europeana Initiative and Europe’s cultural sector.
WE NEED YOUR HELP

  *   SUPPORT LETTER: We would greatly appreciate it if you could send a letter of support on behalf of your organisation to strengthen our advocacy efforts with the European Commission. Enclosed is a template letter addressed to Mr. Roberto Viola, Director General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, who oversees the Digital Europe Programme. Please feel free to adapt it as needed. If possible, kindly inform us whether you are able to send it.
  *   AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY: In September, we sent a letter to all EU Ministers responsible for digital cultural heritage, inviting them to submit a formal appeal to Mr. Roberto Viola. If you have connections in your respective Ministry, we would greatly appreciate your support in ensuring this occurs.
The Work Plan will be discussed during an important meeting on December 3rd. It is therefore critical that we state our case before that day.

We appreciate your prompt attention to ensure our data space receives the necessary investment to thrive, delivering maximum impact and value to our sector, citizens, and Europe’s broader society and economy.

I would be very grateful if you could give this your prompt attention.

Yours sincerely,
Harry Verwayen

--
Harry Verwayen | General Director
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E: harry.verwayen at europeana.eu<mailto:harry.verwayen at europeana.eu>

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