The concluding conference of the international initiative “WRECKS4ALL 2.0” titled “Digital Heritage: Innovative Tools and Strategies for Promotion” took place at the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro on Friday. This event brought together experts, researchers, institutional representatives, and cultural professionals from the region, all focused on the promotion and preservation of underwater cultural heritage through the use of contemporary digital technologies.

Throughout the day, participants were updated on the achievements of the Wrecks4all Project over the past five years, which included the initial digitalization of underwater cultural heritage, the launch of virtual reality rooms, the establishment of a GIS database for shipwrecks in Montenegro, the formation of a research unit for archaeology at the University of Montenegro, and the development of strategies to promote diving tourism alongside the creation of underwater and virtual museums.

The conference primarily focused on leveraging virtual reality, 3D modeling, geoinformation systems, and digital storytelling as essential tools for enhancing the visibility of cultural heritage that remains inaccessible to the public.

Jasna Bulatović, the Head of the Directorate for Inter-Regional Programs, and Sabian Hasani, Advisor to the Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation of the Republic of Albania, inaugurated the event, with introductory remarks delivered by project partners from Montenegro, Albania, and Italy.

A significant focus was placed on presenting the regionally tailored WRECKS4ALL Action Plan, which serves as a strategic document addressing the needs of coastal communities in the southern Adriatic. This plan outlines the potential to extend the model of digital valorization of underwater heritage to new areas, identifies sites for cross-border cultural routes, evaluates tourism sustainability, facilitates destination management, and integrates digital innovations for heritage presentation and protection.

The conference showcased presentations from Montenegro, Italy, and Albania covering topics such as the digital transformation of cultural tourism, geoportals for underwater heritage, community education, and best practices regarding the digitization and safeguarding of intangible heritage.

Attendees also had the chance to experience VR applications developed as part of the project, enabling them to virtually “dive” into the realm of sunken ships and the untold stories of the Adriatic.

The “WRECKS4ALL 2.0” initiative is co-funded by the Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme for the South Adriatic, under the European Union’s Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III). Its long-term vision includes establishing a hybrid museological model that merges physical and digital interpretations of cultural heritage, ensuring accessibility and sustainability for future generations.

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