The GreenHer Centre of Excellence in Green Heritage Science started its operational phase today, a major milestone in the development of Slovenia’s first interdisciplinary centre dedicated to sustainable research and innovation in cultural heritage. This marks a major step forward in Europe’s drive to position cultural heritage at the heart of the green transition.
Backed by €13.4 million in European Union funding and matched national investment, the Centre focuses on reshaping heritage science and driving sustainable development through preservation, management and use of heritage.
“The start of operations represents the transition from vision to action,” said Professor Matija Strlič, Centre Director.
“We will soon be equipped to conduct state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research. We will develop environmentally friendly and technologically advanced solutions for the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage, working closely with museums, conservators and other experts in cultural heritage protection, industry and local communities. Our goal is to contribute to a more sustainable and digitally supported management and preservation of cultural heritage.”
The start of the operational phase means that investments in new laboratories, research equipment and jobs are already spilling over into active research and innovation.
Over the next six years, the Centre will implement a comprehensive research and innovation programme focused on environmentally responsible conservation methods, sustainable management of the built heritage environment, landscapes and archaeological sites, inclusive approaches to heritage and tourism management, and the development of a cultural heritage data cloud.
The importance of the Centre goes beyond national frameworks and is embedded in a broader European strategy to strengthen research excellence.
Francesca Cervelli, RTD Policy Officer at the European Commission, stressed: “as one of key Widening actions under Horizon Europe, Teaming for Excellence leverages significant European, national and other funding to build strong research infrastructures and foster international collaborations. Ultimately, these projects help create and sustain strong ecosystems for research and innovation which can face current and future challenges and opportunities. In this context, we strongly welcome the interdisciplinary nature of the GreenHer project, its contribution to major EU policies, such as the Green Deal, and its high potential of becoming the driver of change in the region and beyond.”
“The launch of operations marks the transition of GreenHer into its implementation phase under Horizon Europe. From the Agency’s perspective, this is the point at which governance structures, work plans and delivery mechanisms become central. The European Research Executive Agency will follow the project’s progress and accompany the consortium throughout the implementation of this long-term action,” added Raquel Fernández Horcajada, Research Programme Manager, European Research Executive Agency.
GreenHer’s European significance was highlighted by Professor May Cassar, President of the Governing Board. “The launch of operations of the GreenHer Centre of Excellence demonstrates EU’s long-term commitment to strengthening research excellence and international cooperation. It strengthens Slovenia’s position within the European Research Area, but also contributes directly to the sustainable management of cultural heritage. I am confident that GreenHer will generate lasting scientific, societal and economic impact.”
Dr Jure Gašparič, State Secretary at the Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, reinforced the message by saying that “investments such as GreenHer aim to reduce disparities in research and innovation performance across the European Union and to strengthen Slovenia’s research institutions and governance capacity. We are convinced that through Centres of Excellence, Slovenia will be able to compete more successfully for EU research funding and well as reduce innovation gaps and brain drain.
In a broad collaborative partnership, GreenHer Centre was established as an autonomous research unit within University of Ljubljana and brings together numerous established slovenian heritage scientists. It operates in a close partnership with the National and University Library of Slovenia, Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, University of Maribor, University of Primorska, National Research Council of Italy and University College London (UK). In the frame of the University of Ljubljana, several faculties are actively involved: Biotechnical Faculty, Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, in collaboration with the Academy of Fine Arts and Design and the Faculty of Economics.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.