Slovenia has gained a new Centre of Excellence for Green Heritage Science - GreenHer - thanks to the success of the University of Ljubljana in the highly competitive European Teaming for Excellence programme. It is one of only twelve projects selected in Europe and only the third such acquisition in Slovenia, confirming the exceptional level of excellence of Slovenian research communities and the strategic importance of heritage science for the European Research Area.
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Slovenia acquires GreenHer Centre of Excellence for Green Heritage Science
The GreenHer Centre of Excellence will be established within the University of Ljubljana and will bring together top national and international researchers in a wide range of fields - from archaeology, conservation and restoration to chemistry, computer science, digitisation, social sciences and cultural heritage management. Its vision is to develop interdisciplinary solutions for a more sustainable understanding, conservation and management of cultural heritage, a key development area for Slovenia and the European Union, in line with the objectives of the Slovenian Development Strategy 2030.
A centre that combines the humanities, natural sciences, technology and social sciences
Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Matija Strlič, the Centre will establish a comprehensive research programme, modern research infrastructure and new spatial cores in several locations over a six-year period. Among the investments, the following stand out:
- the new archaeological laboratory of the University of Ljubljana,
- the laboratory for non-destructive testing at the Building Research Institute of Slovenia,
- the digitisation laboratory of the National and University Library,
- and the Augmented Reality Laboratory at the Slovenian Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage.
In addition to the research laboratories, the Centre will also set up two »living laboratories« - in Simon's Bay and in the Ljubljana Marshes. These are innovative pilot environments where researchers will test solutions directly in collaboration with local communities, the tourism sector, municipalities and heritage institutions.
The central role of the ZVKDS in introducing green technologies into conservation and restoration practice
The Slovenian Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (ZVKDS) plays a central role in the project in the transfer of research knowledge into professional practice and in the development of modern approaches to the conservation of cultural heritage. The GreenHer project represents an important strategic shift, as it will give ZVKDS access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure, green technology and cutting-edge international research methods.
Within the project, ZVKDS will establish the GreenHer Augmented Reality Laboratory, which will enable the development of interactive visualisations, advanced documentation methods and new ways of interpreting cultural heritage. The laboratory will serve both the professional community and the general public by providing an in-depth understanding of materials, deterioration processes, conservation interventions and hidden layers of cultural heritage.
Dr. Polonca Ropret, Head of the Research Institute at the ZVKDS said that, »The Centre of Excellence for Green Heritage Science project represents a major strategic shift towards the sustainable conservation of cultural heritage. At the Slovenian Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, we see the project as an opportunity to strengthen professional competences, access to the latest research infrastructure and scientific methods, and the introduction of green technologies into conservation and restoration practice. The main objectives of the project are to develop environmentally efficient solutions, to link research and heritage institutions, and to establish standards that will contribute to the sustainable conservation of cultural heritage in the long term. It is also of utmost importance to us that the project brings new opportunities for participation in European and national research projects.
We will set up a GreenHer Augmented Reality Lab at the Institute, which will allow advanced, interactive presentations of research and a deeper understanding of heritage.«
Key health, environment and sustainability topics in Europe
The Centre will address themes that are becoming central to Europe:
- developing green conservation and restoration solutions,
- Sustainable restoration of the built environment and heritage landscapes,
- managing archaeological sites in a changing environment,
- inclusive heritage tourism,
- and the development of a cultural heritage data cloud.
Among the expected results are advanced technological solutions such as the visualisation of structures by a swarm of aircraft, new models for sustainable tourism and the development of methods for a more environmentally responsible management of materials, spaces and artefacts.
Strong international network of partners
The GreenHer Centre brings together the most prominent national institutions: the ZVKDS, the National and University Library, the Building Research Institute of Slovenia, the University of Maribor and the University of Primorska. Internationally, it collaborates with two key partners: the Italian National Research Council and University College London (UK), one of the world's leading institutions in the field of heritage science.
Financial support and European performance
The project will receive €13.4 million in funding from the European Union, matched by a contribution from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. The Teaming for Excellence call for proposals attracted 125 applications, 35 were invited to the second phase and only 12 were funded - further confirming the exceptional nature of the Slovenian proposal.
