Evolution of culture in a virtualising world

The main goal of this opportunity is to understand how the growing use of virtual environments is changing culture, human wellbeing, and social connections in Europe. It aims to support research that explores the future of creativity, cultural production, and access to culture in digital spaces. There is a strong focus on protecting European values, cultural and linguistic diversity, and social cohesion as society becomes more virtual. The opportunity encourages innovative approaches and collaboration within the cultural heritage and creative sectors. Projects should help position Europe as a leader in virtual worlds that support wellbeing, resilience, and growth.

• Investigate the evolution of culture in a virtualising world, focusing on how digitalisation and virtualisation are transforming cultural practices, expressions, and institutions.

• Analyze the impact of virtualisation on creativity, cultural production, and access to culture, considering both opportunities and challenges.

• Examine the role of digital technologies in shaping cultural heritage institutions and cultural and creative industries.

• Explore the implications of virtualisation for perceptions, beliefs, behaviours, and values within cultural contexts.

• Develop strategies and recommendations for cultural heritage institutions and cultural and creative industries to adapt to and thrive in a virtualising world.

Examples:

• A research project analyzing how virtual museums impact cultural diversity and access for different European communities.
• A collaborative initiative developing open source digital tools for creative industries to showcase European heritage online.
• An innovation project linking universities and cultural organizations to study the effects of virtual reality on social cohesion and wellbeing.

• Personnel costs for researchers and project staff
• Costs for developing open source software and digital tools
• Expenses for organizing workshops, seminars, and online events
• Travel and accommodation for project meetings (if applicable)
• Purchase or rental of equipment necessary for research or digital production
• Data collection and analysis costs
• Communication, dissemination, and publication expenses
• Subcontracting for specialized services
• Costs related to building or maintaining collaborative networks
• Administrative and management expenses directly linked to the project

Restrictions: All software developed must be open source. Costs must align with the lump sum funding model and follow the guidelines provided.

• Budget for this Call: 10.500.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 3
• Budget per project: 3.500.000€
• Minimum value per project: 2.500.000€

• Applicants must be legal entities established in Europe (Member States or Associated Countries).
• Legal entities from China are not eligible for Innovation Actions.
• Certain non-EU/non-Associated Countries may be eligible if specific provisions are met.
• Applicants must meet financial and operational capacity requirements.
• Projects should connect with existing EU-funded activities and networks.
• All developed software must be open source and use recommended licenses.
• Applicants must follow all application guidelines, including page limits and required templates.
• Eligibility may depend on forming partnerships or networks, especially for collaborative actions.