Dear Europeana partners and friends,
Stepping into 2026, we celebrate what we achieved together last year and look forward with excitement to the possibilities ahead. We are ready to turn 2026 into another inspiring year for Europe’s digital cultural heritage, and it is your support, engagement and creativity that will help us make this possible.
In 2026, we proudly continue to steward the common European data space for cultural heritage, working closely with our consortium partners, the European Commission and Member States. We are committed to the priorities and vision of the data space strategy 2025–2030: expanding access to and reuse of heritage data, supporting value creation and adapting to the evolving needs of our community and latest technological developments — all while driving the sector’s digital transformation.
Looking back: 2025 highlights
Last year, we took major steps to strengthen and expand the data space. When it comes to technical innovation, we advanced a persistent identification system, enabling interoperability with other data spaces and initiatives. We also developed the conceptual design for a new infrastructure component that will make large datasets accessible at source. And we improved the quality of our data offer, resulting in 3 million additional high-quality items.
Our Europeana 2025 Conference welcomed 785 heritage professionals in Warsaw and online, exploring cutting-edge themes from AI to cybersecurity. In addition, we delivered over 60 events and training sessions, boosting capacity across the sector. Through our Alignment Assembly on Culture for AI and the related Cross-Community Workshop, we deepened our understanding of AI’s dilemmas and opportunities, ensuring we remain at the forefront of European and global debates. We also developed engaging activities for tourism, media, creatives, educators and researchers — from a Europeana Creative Climate Action Award to thematic walking tours. We strengthened our networked approach and deepened partnerships across Member States and the wider sector through a variety of activities. Building on the Country Groups, we were excited to launch an Europeana Initiative Ambassadors Programme pilot in Finland. Discover last year’s achievements in the data space annual report.
Looking ahead: 2026 opportunities and ambitions
This year, we will build on this work while seizing the opportunities offered by a fast-evolving policy landscape for digital cultural heritage. Advanced technologies, including 3D and AI, will continue taking center stage. A key focus will be preparing a proposal to the next tender for the further development of the data space from September 2026 onwards and pursuing new opportunities aligned with our values, mission and priorities.
Our Twin it! Part II campaign is in full swing, focusing on 3D digitisation with a clear reuse intent. Member States are digitising a wide range of assets — from archaeological sites to movable objects. In May, we will celebrate the campaign’s “Grand Finale” with a high-level policy event in Brussels, followed by Hackit4EU in Limassol, in cooperation with the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. Stay tuned for more!
We will accelerate our efforts in AI. We welcome the Commission’s Data Union Strategy, recognising the unique value of our shared cultural and linguistic resources for turning Europe into the ‘AI continent’. We are also looking forward to the Commission’s upcoming AI strategy for the Culture and Creative Sectors (2027) in the context of the Culture Compass for Europe, and to helping shape it. From publishing our vision for AI in the data space to delivering policy recommendations and engaging in advocacy with partners like the European Heritage Hub and AI4LAM — supported by the work of our communities and aggregators — we will strengthen our role as thought leaders in AI for cultural heritage. We will continue participating in innovation projects and especially seek to develop new opportunities in the field of AI.
We will continue advocating for adequate funding for digital cultural heritage under the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, currently under negotiation. In line with our collaborative approach, we will deepen our engagement in projects like ECHOES, 3D-4CH and Time Machine while strengthening collaboration with Member States, EU institutions and the wider heritage ecosystem.
Finally, together with our consortium partners, the European Commission and Member States, we will continue implementing the data space strategy 2025-2030. Explore how the Europeana Foundation - as the data space deployer, working closely with ENA and EAF - will help drive this work forward in 2026 through its recently published Business Plan.
As Europe navigates social, environmental, technological and geopolitical challenges, we are convinced of the power of digital cultural heritage to connect people, spark innovation, strengthen competitiveness and uphold the values that define our continent. The progress achieved in 2025 and the new possibilities emerging in 2026 remind us of what our community can accomplish when we unite around a shared purpose. We look forward to continuing this journey with you — whether through joint projects, attending our events, contributing your data, or reusing our collections, you are the driving force of the Europeana Initiative. Your commitment and collaboration are essential in realising our joint ambitions.
Happy New Year, and our warmest wishes for an inspiring 2026.
With best regards on behalf of the Europeana Initiative,