About the Project

Rural areas across Europe are experiencing a slow but steady process of depopulation and demographic decline. As communities shrink, valuable knowledge, traditions, and stories risk being forgotten, while many historical places face abandonment. At the same time, there is a strong desire among adults and the elderly to pass on stories, legends, and cultural knowledge to younger generations, newcomers, tourists, and peers. Sharing this heritage not only enriches communities but also makes volunteers feel active, useful, and immediately gratified.

The Erasmus+ KA210-ADU project “Living History: AI-powered Cultural Heritage” responds to this challenge by combining cultural preservation with cutting-edge digital innovation. The project seeks to bring the local history and culture of small towns, often hidden in museums, churches, or libraries, into the digital spaces where people now learn and interact: their smartphones.

Target Groups

The project is designed for:

• Adult learners and trainers, especially those interested in acquiring digital skills to promote culture.
• Local communities and inhabitants, with a special focus on disadvantaged adults, who will actively participate in cultural heritage initiatives.

Results

The project will deliver the following key outcomes:

1. A training methodology and course for adults on how to use AI and AR for cultural heritage promotion, applied to the cities of Molfetta (Italy) and Altea (Spain).
2. Development of an AI algorithm trained by participants to bring historical characters to life, enabling citizens and visitors to interact with them via smartphone.
3. An interactive tour using AI and AR technologies, allowing people to discover local history and culture in an innovative, engaging way.
4. Creation of a digital platform with avatars for “Chats with a Historical Character”.