MetaHeritage Consortium Meeting in Bologna 

Last week, the MetaHeritage consortium gathered in Bologna for its third in-person meeting bringing together partners from across Europe for a series of intensive, collaborative, and forward-looking sessions. 

The meeting began on the evening of 15 April with a shared dinner in Bologna’s historic city centre, where partners had the opportunity to connect informally and experience the region’s renowned Bolognese cuisine. This set the tone for the days ahead, fostering a strong sense of collaboration before officially kicking off the consortium meeting. 

Hosted at The Social Hub, the meeting marked an important milestone for the project, combining strategic discussions, knowledge exchange, and stakeholder engagement in one dynamic setting. 

Strengthening collaboration across Europe 

The consortium meeting opened with internal working sessions, where partners reviewed progress across work packages, aligned on key priorities, and discussed the next phase of implementation. From business cases to innovation ecosystems, the discussions highlighted the project’s growing momentum and its role in shaping new interregional value chains in cultural heritage and tourism. 

A special thank you goes to Clust-ER Turismo and Clust-ER Innovate for hosting the consortium and ensuring a seamless and inspiring programme 

From strategy to real-world impact 

Beyond internal discussions, the Bologna meeting was closely linked to stakeholder engagement activities, reinforcing the project’s commitment to connecting research, industry, and regional actors. The first stakeholder session concluded with an informal networking gathering, creating space for dialogue between project partners and regional actors. 

On 16 April, the programme continued in Imola with a second stakeholder-focused event, further strengthening connections between research, industry, and regional ecosystems. In the afternoon, the consortium attended the practice race of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). This unique experience offered valuable insights into the region’s automotive industry and its strong links to innovation, tourism, and cultural heritage. 

From smart specialisation strategies (S3) and innovation ecosystems to SME engagement and business case development, the sessions demonstrated how MetaHeritage is translating its strategic vision into tangible and scalable solutions. 

 

Looking ahead 

The consortium meeting in Bologna once again highlighted the strength of the MetaHeritage network: a diverse and committed group of partners working together to unlock the potential of cultural heritage as a driver for innovation, sustainability, and regional development. 

As the project moves forward, the focus will be on scaling solutions, strengthening collaboration, and delivering impact across regions. 

Stay tuned for more updates as MetaHeritage continues to connect heritage, technology, and innovation across Europe. 

image credits: Richard Joos