The Region of Western Greece (RWG) is considered a pioneer area in the field of ICT, due to the existence of the local University, Computer Technology Institute and Press Diophantus, Open University, the micro-electronic Hub Corralia and a considerable number of start -ups in the ICT sector. At the same time, in the region there is a vast number of places with cultural and natural value that perform landmarks of our cultural heritage.
For the RWG, the local authorities and decision-making organizations, is of high priority to support the start-up companies and the graduated young people from the local institutes and give them incentives in order to remain and work in the area. The stakeholders of CD-ETA project derive from these organisations and desire the implementation of actions that will further support this priority.
The CD-ETA work team of University of Patras (project partner 3), after the 2nd Thematic Seminar “Digitization of Museums and Galleries” held in Florence, Italy (May 2017), presented to the stakeholder working group the good practices and the lessons learned during this meeting. Special attention was given in the technologies used by the Museums and Galleries in Florence (Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality etc) in order not only to preserve the work of arts but also to promote them and offer a virtual tour in the wider public from all over the world. Specifically, the work team of University of Patras presented to the stakeholders, in details, using also videos and audio-visual material the applications and platforms presented by experts in Florence. These examples included the Uffizi Virtual Experience-Uffizi Touch® App (www.uffizitouch.it), a very interesting & innovative application, which uses the up-to-date technology for the preservation and dissemination of the cultural heritage.
The stakeholders of Western Greece expressed high interest for this good practice, which could be also adopted and used by many museums and historical sites of our area. Accordingly, the mobile app for the free tour in the Museo Galileo www.museogalileo.it/it/museo/visita/app-e-miniguide-stampabili.html, is an app that the stakeholders consider that could be replicated in our area serving the needs of the local museums, attracting in this way more visitors. The app accompanies the visit with audio commentary, text pages, and videos as the visitor discovers the collections of each room in the Museum.
These two good practices attracted the interest of the stakeholders in the partner region of University of Patras. They discussed with researchers from the University & local IT companies, as well as with Directors from the local Museums and archaeological sites in order to identify the need and potential of a similar platform. After several meetings with the CD ETA team and other individuals and organisations, the stakeholders considered that similar initiatives should be supported by the region and included in a call that the RWG aimed to launch in order to support the young IT engineers.
Launched call for project proposals “Creative Industries and Culture”
• Within the frames of The Regional Operational Programme (ROP) 2014-2020: Investments in Growth and Jobs 2014-2020,Thematic Objective 6: “Preservation and protection of environment and promotion of resources efficiency” a call entitled “Support of Creative industries in Western Greece”was launched
• Duration for submission of proposals: 02/04-02/12/2019
• Objective: Support of the creative character of regional SMEs,the increase of extroversion of business activity, the promotion of the companies of Western Greece and their products / services in the international markets
• Total Public funding of the call was 7.800.000€.
As a result of the call launched:
• 71 project were approved and will be funded with5.543.139,33€
• 46 projectsconcerned SMEs from the Prefecture of Achaia,12 of Etolokarnania an 13 of the Prefecture of Ilia;
• The implementation of these projects will contribute to the creation of more than 100 new job positions.
Thematic areas of the approved projects:
• Digitization of street art and wall paintings located in the city of Patras on the facades of buildings;
• Digitization of newspapers and magazines;
• Creation of apps for mobile devices regarding the archival collections and events of the Patras Carnival;
• 3D depiction of exhibits from the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology (Katakolo, Ilia).
