HERIFORGE Launches First Open Call For Immersive Technologies In Cultural Heritage

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 19, 2025

HERIFORGE has launched its first Open Call to fund innovative projects that merge immersive technologies with cultural heritage. The initiative is part of a broader mission to transform how cultural heritage is experienced, preserved, and reused across Europe. With a total budget of €300,000, the initiative will fund up to six projects, each eligible for a grant of up to €50,000, alongside a six-month mentoring and support programme.

Overview

The call invites SMEs, startups, NGOs, foundations, associations, and individuals (particularly those based in Cyprus, Poland, and Türkiye) to propose bold ideas that harness immersive tools such as AR/VR, XR, gamification, and digital twins. Applicants from other EU Member States or Horizon Europe–associated countries are also eligible, provided they can demonstrate a local presence in one of the three partner countries.

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Up to six projects will be selected, each receiving:

Funding of up to €50,000
Six months of tailored mentoring and technical support from experts in immersive tech, cultural heritage, and business development

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the HERIFORGE Open Call page
Deadline: 27 October 2025, 17:00 CET
All proposals should clearly demonstrate how immersive technologies can create sustainable impact in cultural heritage preservation, engagement, or reuse.
Each applicant may submit up to two proposals, provided they address different areas of the call. Only the highest-scoring proposal per applicant will be funded.
Proposals must be submitted in English.

Programme Objectives

Cultural heritage is increasingly being recognized as a resource for identity, cohesion, and sustainable development, rather than simply an archive of the past. Yet many digital collections remain fragmented, project results are rarely reused beyond their initial scope, and collaboration between cultural organisations and technology players is often weak.

HERIFORGE aims to overcome these barriers by supporting place-based innovation ecosystems in Cyprus, Poland, and Türkiye. The programme’s objectives are to link cultural institutions with immersive technology solutions, support creative experimentation, and build models of digital heritage innovation that can be scaled across Europe.

About HERIFORGE

HERIFORGE is a European initiative bringing together leading organizations from the cultural heritage and digital technology sectors. Its goal is to support cross-border collaboration, leverage creative experimentation, and demonstrate new models for the digital transformation of cultural heritage.

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Cypriot SMEs And Startups To Engage With Global Innovators At MWC Open Innovation Challenge 2026

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 30, 2026

Invitation For Strategic Collaboration

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Cyprus, in partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce, has extended a distinguished invitation to small and medium‐sized enterprises and startups to participate in the MWC Open Innovation Challenge 2026. This significant initiative, organized by ACCIÓ, a key department within the Catalan Government’s Ministry of Enterprise and Labour, is set to attract industry leaders and emerging innovators alike.

Global Forum For Innovation

The event is designed to convene corporates, investors, and technology providers in a dynamic setting to co-create solutions addressing real-world technological challenges. Participants will have the opportunity to connect during the MWC and 4YFN Barcelona congress, where breakthrough ideas and collaboration strategies will be spotlighted.

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Flexible Participation Formats

Attendees can choose from physical, online, or hybrid formats tailored to their schedules and business objectives. The in-person B2B engagements are scheduled to occur from March 2, 2026, to March 5, 2026, at the 4YFN Congress in Barcelona, specifically at the ACCIÓ Stand in Hall 8. These sessions, structured as focused 30-minute meetings, are exclusively reserved for corporate representatives presenting challenges and technology providers offering strategic solutions.

Digital Engagement For Global Reach

For those unable to travel, online B2B meetings will be facilitated via the b2match platform from March 9, 2026, to March 13, 2026. This digital format ensures that participants, including Cypriot startups, can seamlessly connect with large international companies and public entities eager to explore innovative technologies.

Streamlined Registration And Matchmaking

The challenge is open to technology and solution providers free of charge. Interested businesses must register on the platform by completing a comprehensive company profile. This profile should include a succinct pitch, a professional biography, and a detailed outline of the firm’s technological capabilities. Registration is limited to one participant per company, although additional representatives are welcome to attend the B2B meetings. Once validated, participants can begin scheduling meetings based on corporates’ published challenges, with final acceptance determined by the respective corporates.

Business-Driven Agenda

Participants will receive a personalized meeting agenda through the digital platform, ‘My Schedule’, which will detail all confirmed meeting times and sessions. This structured approach ensures that every interaction is geared toward harnessing commercial potential and driving actionable collaborations.

The MWC Open Innovation Challenge 2026 represents a landmark opportunity for Cypriot enterprises to forge key international partnerships and propel forward-thinking technological solutions. For further details and to register as a technology or solution provider, please visit the official registration page.

Open Calls