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The eArchiving Initiative is a crucial component of the European Union's (EU) Digital Decade Policy Programme (DDPP), aimed at fostering a sustainable digital society. With the exponential growth of data, especially in areas like 3D Digital Cultural Heritage, the initiative faces the challenge of not only storing vast amounts of data but also transitioning legacy data from analogue to electronic formats. This task is compounded by the necessity to adhere to EU-created systems and solutions, including eArchiving, amidst the backdrop of advancing technologies like High Performance Computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity.
The initiative's core objective is to ensure sustainable eArchiving across Europe, offering open-source standards, tools, and training resources. Led by the E-ARK Consortium, it involves key contributions from organizations across Europe. The initiative's progress is overseen by DG CNECT, ensuring transparent management and adherence to set KPIs and deadlines.
Throughout its first phase, the initiative focused on establishing technical infrastructure, including robust risk management and communication strategies. It also launched websites to enhance accessibility to eArchiving resources. Central to the initiative are specifications such as the E-ARK Submission Information Package, Archival Information Package, and Dissemination Information Package which ensure the preservation and retrieval of digital content. Additionally, Content Type Information Specifications (CITS) cater to specific data content types.
The Initiative's inaugural year witnessed minor updates to specifications, primarily focusing on enhancing clarity and correctness. User participation via GitHub repositories has been instrumental in this process. Efforts have also been directed towards validation processes and the development of the eArchiving Conformance Seal.
Various events, including capacity building initiatives, specialist network gatherings, and presentations at DLM Meetings, have facilitated user engagement and networking. Collaboration with Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Generic Services projects has been crucial, ensuring continuity and support for eArchiving activities.
A significant milestone has been the development of an eArchiving curriculum for higher education, promoting broader adoption and understanding of eArchiving principles. The initiative also launched a Support Desk to address user queries and concerns.
Current priorities include finalising the eArchiving Curriculum and launching the Conformance Seal. Phase II aims to further consolidate efforts, with plans for a Specifications event in May 2024 to assess user adoption and gather feedback.
In summary, the eArchiving Initiative plays a vital role in promoting sustainable eArchiving practices across Europe, facilitating access to resources, and fostering collaboration within the digital preservation community.
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E-ARK Consortium