Overall Goals

DPE has three main objectives that can be described by means of specific sub-objectives:

1. Create a polyfunctional platform for operative cooperation, and for the divulgation of results, researches and experiences:
   • develop awareness on the theme of the preservation of digital objects in the broad scenario of the European cultural and scientific heritage
   • counter the duplication of efforts in research activities conducted by institutions, and support the identification, collection and sharing of knowledge and experiences
   • create a communication channel between the research community and users communities in order to encourage collaborative approaches
   • stimulate new studies on digital preservation, and encourage the development and widespread adoption of standards.
2. Stimulate the diffusion of services for the preservation of digital contents:
   • support the development of an approach shared on the European level for testing and certifying "trusted digital repositories", an essential step towards the realisability and implementation of digital storage services
   • stimulate ICT companies and software developers to investigate into technical problem areas tied to digital preservation
   • develop synergies between research programmes on digital preservation and the industrial sector.
3. Boost the acquisition of knowledge, capabilities and available resources:
   • identify the critical issues on which to develop guidelines, methods and tools, so as to enable the development of advanced functions for the preservation of digital contents on a European level
   • start training seminars based on best practises, defining initiatives destined to train politicians and professionals, as well as to the development of personnel of cultural Institutions, research communities and industries.

The DPE project avails itself of the earlier ERPANET initiative results, utilising the tools and knowledge base validated by its scientific community.