Policy Landscape in XR for Cultural Heritage
Findings from the HERIFORGE Cyprus Hub

Under HERIFORGE, the Cyprus Hub conducted targeted research to better understand the current policy landscape shaping the integration of Extended Reality (XR) technologies within the Cultural Heritage (CH) sector. Through interviews with policymakers, Cultural Heritage Institutions (CHIs), and XR businesses, we examined the conditions influencing innovation in this field.

Key Findings - Policy Makers:
-Strong strategic alignment with EU policies, but limited national-level implementation and design
-Funding and infrastructure are the greatest barriers
-Bureaucracy and legal ambiguities impede progress
-Need for cross sector inspiration
-Need for user centric policy reform

Key Findings - Cultural Heritage Institutions:
-Digital heritage is a growing priority, but XR is still in early stages
-Policy awareness and engagement are limited
-Policy and political challenges, including lack of objectivity
-Practical challenges outweigh legal or technical barriers
-Lack of strategic policy integration and coordination
-Legal and bureaucratic challenges undermine innovation
-Digitisation and XR application must be purposeful and contextual
-Funding structures and knowledge sharing are inadequate
-Financial and technical barriers to technology adoption
-Severe lack of CHI support
-Need for knowledge and collaboration, including workshops and training tailored to cultural institutions
-Need for dedicated funding and cross sector collaboration

Key Findings - Businesses:
-Lack of national policies and limited familiarity between tech companies and public institutions
-Bureaucracy and procurement structures hinder innovation
-Funding exists, but accessibility and distribution are uneven
-Urgent need for expertise integration
-Need for stronger alignment between policy and practice