Launched in January 2023, the ENIGMA European Project is a three-year endeavor dedicated to co-designing innovative and sustainable strategies to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural goods. The initiative focuses on activating mechanisms for tracing, protecting, safeguarding, and repatriating cultural artifacts through legal procedures. The project is marked by the active participation of distinguished academics and scientists drawn from both local and international institutions, collectively forming an interdisciplinary team of experts.

ENIGMA’s overarching goal is to establish a comprehensive framework that addresses the multifaceted challenges associated with cultural property trafficking. One of its key objectives is to foster collaboration by creating a network of communication and cooperation with competent authorities, both domestic and foreign. This collaborative effort is crucial for effectively combating the looting and illicit trafficking of cultural property.

By leveraging the expertise of its diverse team, the ENIGMA Project seeks to develop holistic solutions that not only mitigate the immediate threats posed by illicit trafficking but also contribute to the long-term preservation and repatriation of cultural heritage. With a timeline spanning three years, the project represents a sustained commitment to tackling this pressing issue through a combination of academic insight, scientific innovation, and collaboration with authorities at various levels.

Work Packages

ENIGMA’s detailed work plan is been presented, broken down into work packages (WPs) which follow the logical phases of the implementation of the project, and include consortium management and assessment of progress and results.

  • WP1. PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION
  • WP2. CONCEPTUALIZATION AND SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
  • WP3. TECHNOLOGIES OF DIGITAL IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING OF CULTURAL GOODS
  • WP4 TECHNOLOGIES FOR DECISION-SUPPORT AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
  • WP5 INTEGRATION & TESTING
  • WP6 PILOT CASES IMPLEMENTATION, TOOLS DEMONSTRATION AND VALIDATION
  • WP7 COMMUNICATION, DISSEMINATION & EXPLOITATION

Institutions participating in the project:

AUTH – Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
KIKLO, Greece
Erastosthenes, Greece
Heritage Malta, Malta
Cellock
University of Turku, Finland
Royal Museums of Art and History, Belgium
Hellenic Police Greece
Kemea, Greece
Noesis Technologies
Any Solution, Spain
Miralab – University of Geneva

Status in the project: Participant

Project coordinator: Associate Professor Charalampos Georgiadis, AUTH

GA. No. 101094237  

Project type: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

Period of realization: 01/01/2023-2026 (36 months)

Website: Home – ENIGMA EU
Facebook: Enigma EUProject
Twitter: ENIGMA EUProject (@EnigmaEuproject) on X
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enigma-euproject-8a0b6025b/

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