ECCCH Call 2 supports cultural heritage institutions across Europe in improving their digital capacity and joining the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage. The program funds activities such as training, toolkits, workshops, and digital collaboration initiatives, offering up to €29,800 per project for 20 selected projects. Eligible non-profit CHIs and networks must apply in English and deliver results within 12–24 months.

ECCCH Call 2: Engagement and Collaboration

ECCCH Call 2 aims to accelerate the digital transformation of cultural heritage institutions (CHIs) by helping them participate in the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage. It provides funding, tools, and coordinated support to strengthen digital skills, harmonise practices, and expand the use of shared digital infrastructure across Europe.

What Is ECCCH Call 2?

ECCCH Call 2: Engagement and Collaboration is a European initiative that encourages CHIs—especially small and medium-sized ones—to join a shared digital platform built to preserve, manage, and share cultural heritage collections. The Cloud supports interoperability, collaboration, and the adoption of emerging technologies.

Core Objectives

Strengthen digital capacity within cultural heritage organisations
Enable CHIs to work with digital objects more efficiently and coherently
Connect institutions through interoperable standards and shared tools
Promote collaboration across Europe’s cultural heritage ecosystem
Support CHIs in overcoming digital, technical, and organisational challenges

What the Call Provides

The program offers:

Access to shared digital infrastructure
AI-based analysis tools
3D digitisation and reconstruction technologies
Support for virtual exhibitions and educational applications
Funding for capacity-building and training initiatives
Opportunities to collaborate with European CHIs and research institutions

Key Challenges the Call Addresses

The initiative is structured to help institutions tackle:

Digitisation and digital preservation
Metadata quality and harmonisation
Intellectual property and rights management
Lack of staff training or digital expertise
Limited financial resources for advanced tools
Fragmented digital practices across Europe

Supported Activities

Eligible projects may implement:

Workshops and online courses
Toolkits, guidelines, and training materials
Surveys, studies, and needs assessments
Helpdesks, mentoring, and consultation services
Hackathons, co-creation sessions, and creative engagement formats
Outreach and communication campaigns

Each selected project can receive up to €29,800, with funding released in two instalments. A total of 20 projects will be funded.

Why This Call Matters

ECCCH Call 2 helps institutions:

Modernise digital workflows
Improve discovery and reuse of cultural heritage digital objects
Expand public engagement and create new educational formats
Strengthen cross-border cooperation
Gain access to tools and expertise they cannot afford independently
Prepare for long-term participation in the ECCCH ecosystem

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must:

Be a non-profit cultural heritage institution (CHI) or an umbrella/network organisation
Be located in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe associated country
Submit the proposal in English
Demonstrate capacity to engage and support a broad CHI community

Priority is given to CHIs with strong communication plans and the ability to mobilise and support multiple institutions.

Project Requirements

Projects must:

Run for 12 to 24 months
Include clear deliverables and reporting
Align with ECCCH capacity-building and collaboration goals
Demonstrate cost-effectiveness and realistic budgeting
Integrate the ECCCH Cloud meaningfully into workflows

Failure to meet milestones may delay or reduce final payments.

How to Apply

Prepare a proposal in English aligned with ECCCH goals.
Define activities such as training, workshops, and engagement formats.
Develop a clear communication and outreach strategy.
Prepare a realistic workplan, timeline, and budget (up to €29,800).
Submit the application through the official ECCCH submission process.
Ensure compliance with eligibility and evaluation criteria.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals are assessed on:

Relevance to ECCCH objectives
Quality and feasibility of the workplan
Expertise and experience of the applicant
Cost-effectiveness and efficient budget use
Geographical balance across Europe

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Weak or vague engagement strategy
Overly ambitious workplans not achievable within 12–24 months
Budgets lacking justification or exceeding limits
Proposals not clearly aligned with ECCCH Cloud use
Insufficient experience in capacity-building or community engagement
Submitting in a language other than English

FAQ

1. What is the maximum funding available per project?

Each project can receive up to €29,800, paid in two instalments.

2. Who can apply?

Non-profit cultural heritage institutions and umbrella networks in EU or Horizon Europe countries.

3. What types of activities can be funded?

Workshops, training materials, online courses, surveys, engagement tools, helpdesks, and creative collaboration formats like hackathons.

4. How long can a project last?

Projects must be between 12 and 24 months.

5. Does the call support digitisation hardware purchases?

No direct hardware funding is specified; the focus is on capacity-building, engagement, and using the ECCCH Cloud.

6. How important is the communication strategy?

Essential—projects must show how they will effectively engage CHIs and support Cloud adoption.

7. How many projects will be funded?

A total of 20 projects across Europe.

Conclusion

ECCCH Call 2: Engagement and Collaboration is a strategic opportunity for cultural heritage institutions to elevate their digital capabilities, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and fully participate in the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage. With targeted funding and access to advanced tools like AI and 3D technologies, CHIs can modernise their practices and create lasting impact across Europe’s digital heritage landscape.