Kiri

Twin it! 3D for Europe’s culture - Part II

2025-2026

Campaign summary: the next chapter of Twin it!

Building on the momentum of Twin it! 3D for Europe’s culture (June 2023 – June 2024), Twin

it! part II will further support Member States in their 3D digitisation and preservation

efforts, now with a clear focus on the intended use of the digitised assets.

Twin it! united all EU Member States under a common goal and sparked excitement in the

sector. Twin it! Part II will build on this success, advancing the goals of the European

Commission 2021 Recommendation on a common European data space for cultural

heritage. It will further unlock the potential of 3D digitisation to spur reuse of cultural data

across sectors, enhancing its impact and relevance for diverse audiences, while boosting the

competitiveness and innovation in the heritage sector.

Rationale

The Twin it! Call to action: Boosting 3D for Europe's culture by 2030, published as an outcome

of the campaign, outlines seven key priorities to advance 3D digitisation in Europe, in line

with the 2021 Recommendation targets. These include a) the need for a purpose-driven,

user-focused approach to 3D digitisation, and b) the promotion, enablement and

capacity-building for the reuse of 3D content. Twin it! Part II will directly address these

priorities, building on the lessons and principles from the first phase.

Twin it! Part II will leverage the already established Twin it! brand, while clearly showcasing

its expansion and evolution.

2

A Simple Ask

We will maintain the simplicity of the Twin it! ask, as this was a key success factor that made

it easier for Member States to participate.

In Twin it! Part II, EU Ministries responsible for Culture are invited to collaborate with their

national cultural institutions to submit at least one high-quality 3D-digitised heritage asset

to the data space with clear reuse intent, along with additional data, paradata and

metadata. The goal is to collect and showcase 3D samples of Europe’s cultural heritage,

highlighting how Member States aim to make practical use of their digitised assets.

About the selected heritage asset(s)

As in the first phase of the campaign, Twin it! Part II will invite submissions that align with the

priority categories outlined in the 2021 Recommendation. These may include assets that

are: a) at risk, b) among the most physically visited, or c) belonging to a category with low

levels of digitisation Twin it! highlighted the usefulness of these categories for prioritising 3D

digitisation, and the need to further advance their adoption and understanding.

Clear reuse intent

Twin it! Part II continues the ambitions of the first campaign, but within a renewed context

— one that places greater emphasis on reuse of heritage data across sectors and aligns with

the updated Europeana Publishing Framework (EPF) for 3D digitisation. Twin it! Part II will

build Member States’ capacities on these guidelines for purposeful 3D digitisation.

Upon submission, Member States will therefore be invited to clearly specify the intended

use of the 3D object, and to pursue intentional 3D digitisation. In line with the updated EPF

for 3D, a fit-for-purpose 3D digitised object is one that is digitised and published online with

a clear intent — specifically, the intent, aim and scope of the cultural heritage institution that

digitised the item.

Rather than imposing predefined uses, the campaign will focus on understanding Member

States' priorities and providing tailored support. This includes helping them articulate their

objectives, guiding institutions through the 3D digitisation process, and offering customised

support and training. Twin it! Part II may also support Member States in defining their 3D

3

digitisation partnerships, covering quality, legal and other technical requirements when

working with a 3D digitisation partner.

Twin it! Part II offers a valuable opportunity to test the expanded Europeana Publishing

Framework (EPF) when it comes to 3D content, incorporating insights from the first

campaign.

Beyond 3D models: towards a richer, more dynamic and interactive

representations

In addition to submitting the 3D model(s) of the selected heritage asset(s), Member States

will be invited to integrate additional data, paradata and metadata. This could include

2D images, data about specific elements or movable objects within a heritage site, or details

about the 3D model itself. The result will be a richer, more dynamic and multidimensional

representation of the heritage asset, with an increased potential for reuse, for instance as

part of XR experiences.

Therefore, the submission will not only replicate the physical characteristics of the selected

asset in 3D, but will also capture historical context and stories associated with it, enhancing

both preservation and reuse.

Multilingual drive

Twin it! Part II will place a renewed emphasis on multilingualism, with the translation of key

campaign content to broaden reach and visibility across Member States while fostering

engagement through relatable and localised content.

Campaign objectives

1. Increase the amount of high-quality, fit-for-purpose 3D digitised content in the

data space, showcasing its relevance, impact, and potential for reuse. The campaign

will contribute to advancing the Recommendation’s quantitative goals for 3D content,

with the goal of adding 16 million high-quality 3D assets by 2030.

2. Encourage 3D digitisation with intent and inspire new reuse applications. The

campaign will enhance usability of 3D content in the data space and across sectors,

driving innovation and competitiveness, increasing the impact of cultural data for the

4

society and the economy and supporting cross-sectoral and cross-data space

collaboration.

3. Support Member States in their 3D digitisation and preservation efforts,

promote and support national and cross-national collaboration and capacity-building

on 3D digitisation with intent.

Campaign components

The campaign will target primarily Member States, but it will be supported by an additional

strand for professional and reuse communities and citizens running concurrently and closely

interrelated.

● Main campaign focus: Member States’ engagement

○ Main goal: to advance 3D digitisation with clear intended use

○ Secondary goal: to highlight the diversity of reuse cases put forward by Member

States themselves

Building on the lessons from Twin it!, clear and comprehensive guidelines will be provided

to facilitate Member States’ participation, as well as tailored and country specific support.

The campaign will offer opportunities for multi-actor collaboration, dedicated capacity-

building, upskilling and networking for Member States (e.g. webinars and Cafés focused on

3D digitisation with intended use). We will mobilise and further engage Member States

through high-level advocacy and via relevant fora like the CEDCHE and the CAC.

● Supporting strand: Engaging the professional and reuse communities, citizens

and the general public

○ Main goal: to raise awareness and foster engagement and reuse

○ Secondary goal: to highlight reuse possibilities and innovative applications in

education and creative reuse

This supporting strand will focus on mobilising the digital heritage community and reuse

communities as well as citizens and the general public. It will focus specifically on education

and creative reuse to highlight the relevance and impact of the 3D-digitised assets submitted

by Member States. It will make 3D-digitised content more accessible and enjoyable to the

wider public through participatory and interactive challenges and competitions, including a

Hackathon at the final event (see below), and will leverage tested and successful formats like

Built with Bits.

5

We will also establish ad-hoc partnerships with projects (EUreka3D, Eureka3DXR, XRCulture)

and relevant initiatives (3D-4CH) to foster collaboration and facilitate the exchange of best

practices among the wider community.

Final high-level event & Hack for Europe

Twin it! Part II will culminate in a high-level final event, to be planned alongside a Council

of the EU meeting, where Ministers will be invited to present their submitted 3D assets

alongside their vision for reuse. Central to the event will be Hack for Europe — a three-day

hackathon bringing together creators, developers and cultural heritage enthusiasts to

explore innovative and imaginative ways to reuse the collected 3D assets. The hackathon will

invite representatives from all Member States to take part in creating innovative outputs

using submitted models from Twin it! Part I and II, along with other curated 3D content. On

the final day, participants will present their prototypes, with the most impactful creations

showcased and awarded during the ministerial session. The high-level event will be hosted

by and developed in close cooperation with the Cypriot Presidency.

Campaign partners

The campaign is organised by the European Commission and the Europeana Initiative, under

the Polish, Danish and Cypriot Presidencies (2025-2026), in the context of the common

European data space for cultural heritage. As done in Twin it!, this new chapter will once

again build a strong partnership, uniting the Member States, the professional community

(Europeana) and the EU, for wide-reaching impact.

Building on the learnings of Twin it!

Twin it! served as a pilot for developing a thematic, cross-presidency campaign and acted as

an umbrella for 3D efforts within the data space over the past two years. Twin it! Part II

campaign will build on these learnings and a successful collaborative model.

Twin it! 3D for Europe’s culture - Part II

2025-2026

Campaign summary: the next chapter of Twin it!

Building on the momentum of Twin it! 3D for Europe’s culture (June 2023 – June 2024), Twin

it! part II will further support Member States in their 3D digitisation and preservation

efforts, now with a clear focus on the intended use of the digitised assets.

Twin it! united all EU Member States under a common goal and sparked excitement in the

sector. Twin it! Part II will build on this success, advancing the goals of the European

Commission 2021 Recommendation on a common European data space for cultural

heritage. It will further unlock the potential of 3D digitisation to spur reuse of cultural data

across sectors, enhancing its impact and relevance for diverse audiences, while boosting the

competitiveness and innovation in the heritage sector.

Rationale

The Twin it! Call to action: Boosting 3D for Europe's culture by 2030, published as an outcome

of the campaign, outlines seven key priorities to advance 3D digitisation in Europe, in line

with the 2021 Recommendation targets. These include a) the need for a purpose-driven,

user-focused approach to 3D digitisation, and b) the promotion, enablement and

capacity-building for the reuse of 3D content. Twin it! Part II will directly address these

priorities, building on the lessons and principles from the first phase.

Twin it! Part II will leverage the already established Twin it! brand, while clearly showcasing

its expansion and evolution.

2

A Simple Ask

We will maintain the simplicity of the Twin it! ask, as this was a key success factor that made

it easier for Member States to participate.

In Twin it! Part II, EU Ministries responsible for Culture are invited to collaborate with their

national cultural institutions to submit at least one high-quality 3D-digitised heritage asset

to the data space with clear reuse intent, along with additional data, paradata and

metadata. The goal is to collect and showcase 3D samples of Europe’s cultural heritage,

highlighting how Member States aim to make practical use of their digitised assets.

About the selected heritage asset(s)

As in the first phase of the campaign, Twin it! Part II will invite submissions that align with the

priority categories outlined in the 2021 Recommendation. These may include assets that

are: a) at risk, b) among the most physically visited, or c) belonging to a category with low

levels of digitisation Twin it! highlighted the usefulness of these categories for prioritising 3D

digitisation, and the need to further advance their adoption and understanding.

Clear reuse intent

Twin it! Part II continues the ambitions of the first campaign, but within a renewed context

— one that places greater emphasis on reuse of heritage data across sectors and aligns with

the updated Europeana Publishing Framework (EPF) for 3D digitisation. Twin it! Part II will

build Member States’ capacities on these guidelines for purposeful 3D digitisation.

Upon submission, Member States will therefore be invited to clearly specify the intended

use of the 3D object, and to pursue intentional 3D digitisation. In line with the updated EPF

for 3D, a fit-for-purpose 3D digitised object is one that is digitised and published online with

a clear intent — specifically, the intent, aim and scope of the cultural heritage institution that

digitised the item.

Rather than imposing predefined uses, the campaign will focus on understanding Member

States' priorities and providing tailored support. This includes helping them articulate their

objectives, guiding institutions through the 3D digitisation process, and offering customised

support and training. Twin it! Part II may also support Member States in defining their 3D

3

digitisation partnerships, covering quality, legal and other technical requirements when

working with a 3D digitisation partner.

Twin it! Part II offers a valuable opportunity to test the expanded Europeana Publishing

Framework (EPF) when it comes to 3D content, incorporating insights from the first

campaign.

Beyond 3D models: towards a richer, more dynamic and interactive

representations

In addition to submitting the 3D model(s) of the selected heritage asset(s), Member States

will be invited to integrate additional data, paradata and metadata. This could include

2D images, data about specific elements or movable objects within a heritage site, or details

about the 3D model itself. The result will be a richer, more dynamic and multidimensional

representation of the heritage asset, with an increased potential for reuse, for instance as

part of XR experiences.

Therefore, the submission will not only replicate the physical characteristics of the selected

asset in 3D, but will also capture historical context and stories associated with it, enhancing

both preservation and reuse.

Multilingual drive

Twin it! Part II will place a renewed emphasis on multilingualism, with the translation of key

campaign content to broaden reach and visibility across Member States while fostering

engagement through relatable and localised content.

Campaign objectives

1. Increase the amount of high-quality, fit-for-purpose 3D digitised content in the

data space, showcasing its relevance, impact, and potential for reuse. The campaign

will contribute to advancing the Recommendation’s quantitative goals for 3D content,

with the goal of adding 16 million high-quality 3D assets by 2030.

2. Encourage 3D digitisation with intent and inspire new reuse applications. The

campaign will enhance usability of 3D content in the data space and across sectors,

driving innovation and competitiveness, increasing the impact of cultural data for the

4

society and the economy and supporting cross-sectoral and cross-data space

collaboration.

3. Support Member States in their 3D digitisation and preservation efforts,

promote and support national and cross-national collaboration and capacity-building

on 3D digitisation with intent.

Campaign components

The campaign will target primarily Member States, but it will be supported by an additional

strand for professional and reuse communities and citizens running concurrently and closely

interrelated.

● Main campaign focus: Member States’ engagement

○ Main goal: to advance 3D digitisation with clear intended use

○ Secondary goal: to highlight the diversity of reuse cases put forward by Member

States themselves

Building on the lessons from Twin it!, clear and comprehensive guidelines will be provided

to facilitate Member States’ participation, as well as tailored and country specific support.

The campaign will offer opportunities for multi-actor collaboration, dedicated capacity-

building, upskilling and networking for Member States (e.g. webinars and Cafés focused on

3D digitisation with intended use). We will mobilise and further engage Member States

through high-level advocacy and via relevant fora like the CEDCHE and the CAC.

● Supporting strand: Engaging the professional and reuse communities, citizens

and the general public

○ Main goal: to raise awareness and foster engagement and reuse

○ Secondary goal: to highlight reuse possibilities and innovative applications in

education and creative reuse

This supporting strand will focus on mobilising the digital heritage community and reuse

communities as well as citizens and the general public. It will focus specifically on education

and creative reuse to highlight the relevance and impact of the 3D-digitised assets submitted

by Member States. It will make 3D-digitised content more accessible and enjoyable to the

wider public through participatory and interactive challenges and competitions, including a

Hackathon at the final event (see below), and will leverage tested and successful formats like

Built with Bits.

5

We will also establish ad-hoc partnerships with projects (EUreka3D, Eureka3DXR, XRCulture)

and relevant initiatives (3D-4CH) to foster collaboration and facilitate the exchange of best

practices among the wider community.

Final high-level event & Hack for Europe

Twin it! Part II will culminate in a high-level final event, to be planned alongside a Council

of the EU meeting, where Ministers will be invited to present their submitted 3D assets

alongside their vision for reuse. Central to the event will be Hack for Europe — a three-day

hackathon bringing together creators, developers and cultural heritage enthusiasts to

explore innovative and imaginative ways to reuse the collected 3D assets. The hackathon will

invite representatives from all Member States to take part in creating innovative outputs

using submitted models from Twin it! Part I and II, along with other curated 3D content. On

the final day, participants will present their prototypes, with the most impactful creations

showcased and awarded during the ministerial session. The high-level event will be hosted

by and developed in close cooperation with the Cypriot Presidency.

Campaign partners

The campaign is organised by the European Commission and the Europeana Initiative, under

the Polish, Danish and Cypriot Presidencies (2025-2026), in the context of the common

European data space for cultural heritage. As done in Twin it!, this new chapter will once

again build a strong partnership, uniting the Member States, the professional community

(Europeana) and the EU, for wide-reaching impact.

Building on the learnings of Twin it!

Twin it! served as a pilot for developing a thematic, cross-presidency campaign and acted as

an umbrella for 3D efforts within the data space over the past two years. Twin it! Part II

campaign will build on these learnings and a successful collaborative model.

Commission européenne, 2920 Luxembourg, LUXEMBOURG – Tel. +352 43011 Office: MERP 04/A001 – Tel. direct line +352 4301-34364

EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS, CONTENT AND

TECHNOLOGY

Data

The Director

Luxembourg CNECT.G.2/KM

By e-mail only

To Ministries of Culture

via the Permanent Representations

Subject: ‘Twin it! 3D for Europe’s culture – Part II’: Invitation to participate

and appointment of contact points

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are pleased to invite your country to participate in the ‘Twin it! 3D for Europe’s

Culture - Part II’ campaign, led by the European Commission and the Europeana

Initiative, under the Polish, Danish, and Cypriot Presidencies of the Council of the EU.

‘Twin it! Part II’ builds on the success of the initial Twin it! campaign, which ran between

June 2023 and June 2024 and saw participation from all EU Member States, leading to a

pan-European collection of high-quality 3D models of emblematic heritage assets and to a

high-level closing event with the participation of several Ministers of Culture.

This phase of the campaign aims to further support the EU Member States in their 3D

digitisation and preservation efforts, with a focus on the intended use of the submitted 3D

model(s), promoting purpose-driven digitisation.

Each of the 27 EU Ministries of Culture is invited to collaborate with their national cultural

institutions to submit at least one high-quality 3D-digitised heritage asset with clear

reuse intent. The 3D collection from this campaign will be made widely accessible

through the common European data space for cultural heritage and Europeana.eu,

highlighting Europe’s rich cultural diversity and enhancing European capacity and

excellence in 3D digitisation.

Twin it! Part II will culminate in a high-level event during the Cypriot Presidency in spring

2026, to be scheduled alongside a Council of the EU meeting, allowing Ministers of

Culture to participate and reaffirm their commitment to advancing the digitisation of

Europe’s cultural heritage.

Please find attached the contact point(s) for your country’s participation in the initial Twin

it! campaign. We kindly ask you to confirm the continuation of their appointment for Twin

2

it! Part II, or to appoint alternative contact points, by email to: CNECT-

[email protected], by Monday, 15 September 2025.

A participation pack with detailed information, as well as an invitation to the online

introductory meeting scheduled on Monday, 22 September 2025, will be sent to the

appointed contact points.

We remain at your disposal for any questions and count on your support to ensure the

success of the ‘Twin it! Part II’ pan-European campaign.

Yours faithfully,

Yvo VOLMAN

Enclosure:

1. Concept note for ‘Twin it! 3D for Europe’s culture – Part II’

2. Contact points for your country’s participation in the initial TwinIt! 3D for Europe’s

Culture campaign (2023-2024)

Electronically signed on 21/08/2025 09:21 (UTC+02) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121

Commission européenne, 2920 Luxembourg, LUXEMBOURG – Tel. +352 43011 Office: MERP 04/A001 – Tel. direct line +352 4301-34364

EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS, CONTENT AND

TECHNOLOGY

Data

The Director

Luxembourg CNECT.G.2/KM

By e-mail only

To Ministries of Culture

via the Permanent Representations

Subject: ‘Twin it! 3D for Europe’s culture – Part II’: Invitation to participate

and appointment of contact points

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are pleased to invite your country to participate in the ‘Twin it! 3D for Europe’s

Culture - Part II’ campaign, led by the European Commission and the Europeana

Initiative, under the Polish, Danish, and Cypriot Presidencies of the Council of the EU.

‘Twin it! Part II’ builds on the success of the initial Twin it! campaign, which ran between

June 2023 and June 2024 and saw participation from all EU Member States, leading to a

pan-European collection of high-quality 3D models of emblematic heritage assets and to a

high-level closing event with the participation of several Ministers of Culture.

This phase of the campaign aims to further support the EU Member States in their 3D

digitisation and preservation efforts, with a focus on the intended use of the submitted 3D

model(s), promoting purpose-driven digitisation.

Each of the 27 EU Ministries of Culture is invited to collaborate with their national cultural

institutions to submit at least one high-quality 3D-digitised heritage asset with clear

reuse intent. The 3D collection from this campaign will be made widely accessible

through the common European data space for cultural heritage and Europeana.eu,

highlighting Europe’s rich cultural diversity and enhancing European capacity and

excellence in 3D digitisation.

Twin it! Part II will culminate in a high-level event during the Cypriot Presidency in spring

2026, to be scheduled alongside a Council of the EU meeting, allowing Ministers of

Culture to participate and reaffirm their commitment to advancing the digitisation of

Europe’s cultural heritage.

Please find attached the contact point(s) for your country’s participation in the initial Twin

it! campaign. We kindly ask you to confirm the continuation of their appointment for Twin

2

it! Part II, or to appoint alternative contact points, by email to: CNECT-

[email protected], by Monday, 15 September 2025.

A participation pack with detailed information, as well as an invitation to the online

introductory meeting scheduled on Monday, 22 September 2025, will be sent to the

appointed contact points.

We remain at your disposal for any questions and count on your support to ensure the

success of the ‘Twin it! Part II’ pan-European campaign.

Yours faithfully,

Yvo VOLMAN

Enclosure:

1. Concept note for ‘Twin it! 3D for Europe’s culture – Part II’

2. Contact points for your country’s participation in the initial TwinIt! 3D for Europe’s

Culture campaign (2023-2024)

Electronically signed on 21/08/2025 09:21 (UTC+02) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121