Disaster Resilience & Climate Change topic 3: Mitigating the impacts of climate change and natural hazards on cultural heritage sites, structures and artefacts

Specific challenge:

 Europe's cultural heritage is being lost at an alarming rate, not only due to natural decay and human impacts but frequently also as a result of environmental changes, climatic conditions or natural hazards. This non-renewable resource, in all its diverse physical forms needs safeguarding for future generations.  Cultural heritage, an important component of individual and collective identity, also fuels Tourism in Europe, a significant economic sector on which many communities depend.  However, the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events together with risks associated to natural hazards present an added challenge for the sustainable management and conservation of cultural heritage in Europe, calling for improved adaptation and mitigation strategies in this vulnerable sector.

Scope:

The proposal should aim to develop eco-innovative solutions to help mitigate the effects of climate change and natural hazards on cultural heritage sites, structures and artefacts taking into account the values they hold for people and respecting their historic and cultural integrity.   Effective adaptation strategies, systems and technologies are needed for better risk management of vulnerable heritage materials and for mitigating damage to cultural heritage assets.  Proposals  may include case studies and address any research gaps or barriers needed to respond to this challenge, including aspects relating to innovative environmental assessment methodologies, integrated monitoring technologies and systems, improved non-invasive and non-destructive methods of surveying and diagnosis including wide area surveillance, cost-effective conservation and restoration techniques, risk management, disaster prevention and quick damage assessment when catastrophes occur.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU between the range of 6 to 8 million euro would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact:

More sustainable and effective safeguarding and management of European cultural heritage through more reliable predictive and cost effective maintenance, improved risk management, diagnosis and treatment and a better understanding of the historical and technological contexts of heritage materials and objects. More effective advice and input to restoration and adaptation policies of government organisations thereby promoting improved practices for the guardians of cultural heritage assets. Reduced fragmentation in this sector through increased collaboration and cooperation and a fostering of an interdisciplinary approach.

The action is expected to proactively target the needs and requirements of users,such as decision makers at local, regional, national and international level responsible for disaster mitigation and safeguarding of cultural heritage assets.

Type of action:Research & Innovation Actions