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.
