Shine4Future: strategic ERIH project planning kick-off
Shine4Future: This is the title of the new ERIH project, with the EU funding programme Creative Europe Networks providing around 1.2 million euros until 2028 and specifying a total of seven working packages. A kick-off event for implementation took place on 5 and 6 February in the Hall of the Century, Bochum, where a team of project managers consisting of the Executive Board and the ERIH management met to organise the extensive programme into sub-projects with corresponding briefs, defined responsibilities and identified the next steps.
One focus of the project activities will be the generational change in industrial heritage, which is already in full swing: many of the people who have been involved in this field since the beginning are retiring or have already done so. As a result, there is a challenge to get young people passionate about the topic, to promote the attractiveness of the sites as a place to work and visit, and to effectively organise the transfer of knowledge. The current shortage of skilled workers and labour does not make this task any easier.
An important step in this direction is the 2023 founded network of ERIH Young Professionals. Interest in their exchange of ideas at regular round tables is growing, as the increasing number of members indicates. Other ERIH activities like the “European Industrial Heritage Summer School” and different research projects are aimed at collaborating with universities and addressing students. A follow-up event to WORK it OUT is also being planned, along with workshops, training sessions and conferences for knowledge transfer and professional debate. Furthermore, the successful ‘ERIH on Tour’ programme will be continued.
Ongoing tasks remain the topics of digitisation and sustainability. To this end, ERIH is in constant dialogue with the Network of European Museum Organisations (NEMO) and the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. Further cooperation is being sought. ERIH members will benefit from new digital platforms that facilitate the exchange of practical experience and leverage the network's swarm intelligence more effectively. The basis for this is once again provided by the funding authority's seven specified working packages.
The location of the strategic kick-off session was no coincidence: last year, Bochum's Hall of the Century already hosted the think tank to prepare the EU funding application. Thanks to the on-site team for yet another warm welcome!