Grassroots of Digital Europe

WG 3: Digital Grassroots as European Cultural Heritage

WG3: Digital Grassroots as European Cultural Heritage

Leader: Miroslaw Filiciak –
mfiliciak@swps.edu.pl

Co-Leader: Gaja Zornada – gaja@racunalniski-muzej.si

VISION

Creative computing practices at the grassroots level are diverse and encompass activities conducted by various community groups located all across the continent and beyond. These practices have played a significant role in European culture, shaping the landscape of digital industries.

We aim to make this knowledge as widely available as possible and make it part of the ongoing conversation about the future of digital Europe. We also seek to strengthen the presence of creative computing practices in the activities of cultural content-archiving institutions.

MISSION

Grassroot digital activities are part of our history and are an example of more bottom-up and diverse technological pursuits.

Hence, we assess the heritage work dedicated to preserving creative computing cultures throughout Europe, identify the best practices, and improve and promote them through public outreach via our network.

RESULTS

D3.1 A–C: Action website, Science Communication Plan, and IP Management Plan — ✅ Delivered.

D3.2: Virtual Library — partially delivered via Zotero; expansion planned to full digital collection by end of Action.

D3.3: White Paper 3 (on preservation efforts) — to be published as a Green Paper by end of 2024 to enable stakeholder consultation.

D3.4: White Paper 4 (on best preservation practices) — planned for Sept 2026 (follow-up to Green Paper).

D3.5: Series of stakeholder workshops and hybrid exhibitions — preparations underway; foundation phase initiated in GP2.

Highlights

  • Leads on policy engagement and preservation frameworks for creative computing heritage.

  • Integration of GLAM institutions and grassroots movements in co-creation processes.

  • Development of the GRADE Green Paper as participatory policy instrument.

  • Contributed to workshops and training schools on digital preservation (e.g., TecnoCampus Spain, Dundalk conference 2024).

What is COST?

European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. Our Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation.

COST Action CA21141

COST Action CA21141 seeks to foster a better understanding of the role of grassroots digital movements related to creative computing across Europe and to develop an integrated approach to its study.

GRADE focuses on user communities, their interaction with state and European-level policies, and the preservation of digital cultural heritage.

Action Details

Grant Number: 055/22
Grant Holder: University of Turku, Finland
Memorandum of Understanding
Action Duration: 27/10/2022 – 26/10/2026
Contact: info@costgrade.eu