The Digital Future of Intangible Cultural Heritage – Challenges and Initiatives

Access to digital resources and overcoming the digital divide are key factors in the development of today's society and affect education and culture as much as economic development. The intercultural dialogue and the preservation and development of the cultural diversity of each country and region are fundamental principles of the cultural policy of the European Union (EU). A special focus is put on the strategic framework for the EU’s cultural policy and the main priorities regarding empowering digital change in the cultural sector. The paper also presents some initiatives supported by the European Commission aiming to strengthen and foster European identity creation as well as to support active citizenship, increase cultural participation and promoting common values, inclusion, and intercultural dialogue within Europe and in a global perspective.