CHERISH (June 2026 – August 2027) is a 15-month project led by CEPIC and Photoconsortium that aims to accelerate the digital transformation of Europe’s photographic and image heritage sector. Although progress has been made in 2D digitisation, many institutions, especially smaller archives, photo libraries and press agencies, face mounting challenges relating to emerging technologies (3D, XR and AI), limited resources and uneven digital skills across the EU.
CHERISH focuses on raising awareness of the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH) led by project ECHOES and encouraging adoption of its applications within this specialized community.
Thanks to the project partners, who are both international associations with a strong presence in the image archival sector all across the EU, CHERISH addresses a geographically inclusive and wide community of photo libraries and press photo agencies. At its core, the project promotes a dual perspective: cultural institutions and archives must continue to cherish their unique photographic assets, while gaining access to advanced, affordable cloud resources and tools that enhance their preservation and curation role. At the same time, they are encouraged to adopt and leverage these technologies by developing the knowledge and critical understanding needed to use them responsibly and sustainably.
Through community surveys, ad hoc multilingual guidelines, webinars, and hands-on events, including major industry events, CHERISH will strengthen skills, improve practices and the knowledge of ECHOES tools, and foster new collaborations.
Leveraging the extensive networks and expertise of CEPIC and PHC, the project will bridge the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that cultural heritage stakeholders can access and benefit from European digital initiatives and from the ECCCH.
- About CHERISH coordinator CEPIC: https://www.cepic.org/
- About Photoconsortium International Association: https://www.photoconsortium.net/association/
- About ECHOES and the ECCCH: https://www.echoes-eccch.eu/
This project has received support through a cascading grant from ECHOES, which is funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 101157364, with the support of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK Government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee No. 10110142 and No. 10110466. Views and opinions expressed herein are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
