ECHOES Founding principles of the Cloud Governance (D10.1)

ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance European Cloud for Heritage Open Science Deliverable 10.1 – Founding principles of the Cloud Governance HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-ECCCH-01 Horizon Innovation action Responsible authors : Philippe Vendrix, Léna Czech (CNRS), Ad Pollé (EF), Charlotte Gallini, Rémi Petitcol (FSP), Elisabeth Stadlinger, Christoph Steindl, Anna Puhr (ONB), Elis Marçal (E.C.C.O.), Zoltan Szatucsek (NAH), Sam H. Minelli (META), Aleksandra Nowak (PSNC). © 2025 by the authors, the ECHOES consortium. This work is licensed under a “CC BY 4.0” license. Project start 1 June 2024 Project duration 60 months Document Identifier 10.5281/zenodo.17599162 ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 1 Deliverable Information Project Number 101157364 Acronym ECHOES Full title European Cloud for Heritage OpEn Science Project URL https://www.echoes-eccch.eu/ EU Project Officer Christian WILK Deliverable D10.1 Title Founding principles of the Cloud Governance Work Package WP10 Title Cloud Governance Submission date 30/05/2025 Pages 51 Keywords Founding principles, Governance, Ethics, Implementation principles Change log Date Version Author Change March 2025 0.1 Ad Pollé, Philippe Vendrix, Léna Czech Redaction of results from work sessions March-April 2025 1.0 All authors First draft and subsequent redaction May 2025 2.0 WP10 participants Communication to entirety of WP10 for feedback May 2025 2.1 Xavier Rodier, Louise Gadoin, Léna Czech Formatting and proofreading Lead Partner Europeana (EF) Responsible Authors Philippe Vendrix, Léna Czech (CNRS), Ad Pollé (EF), Charlotte Gallini, Rémi Petitcol (FSP), Elisabeth Stadlinger, Christoph Steindl, Anna Puhr (ONB), Elis Marçal (E.C.C.O.), Zoltan Szatucsek (NAH), Sam H. Minelli (META), Aleksandra Nowak (PSNC). Authors (Partner) CNRS, EF, FSP, ONB, E.C.C.O., NAH, META, PSNC. Contributors Xavier Rodier, Louise Gadoin (CNRS) ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 2 Abstract This document outlines the founding principles of the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH) governance framework. Developed through collaborative workshops between September 2024 and May 2025, it establishes core values to guide the Cloud's operations as a shared platform for heritage professionals and researchers. The governance structure is built upon seven fundamental principles: equity, ensuring fairness in treatment and decision-making; inclusivity, guaranteeing diverse stakeholder representation; awareness, promoting ethical training and informed decision-making; transparency, fostering open processes that build trust; accountability, clearly defining responsibilities; adaptability, enabling responsive governance to evolving challenges; and excellence, maintaining high quality standards across all operations. These principles serve as the ethical foundation for the Cloud's organisational governance, supporting its mission to democratise access to knowledge and digital assets while unifying fragmented communities in the cultural heritage sector. The document further elaborates on implementation strategies across ethical requirements, data sharing infrastructure, operational management, and stakeholder engagement to ensure sustainable and participatory governance. Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 3 Table of Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 5 1.1 Scope, structure and methodology ..................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Definitions .............................................................................................................................................. 6 1.2.1 Standards ........................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2.2 Principles ............................................................................................................................................ 7 1.2.3 Implementation ................................................................................................................................. 7 2. Comparing governance principles ................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................. 7 2.2 Observations ............................................................................................................................................. 8 2.3 Analysis ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 2.3.1 Innovation .............................................................................................................................................. 9 2.3.2 Transparency ......................................................................................................................................... 9 2.3.3 Sustainability ......................................................................................................................................... 9 2.3.4 Inclusivity ............................................................................................................................................. 10 3. Principles of governance ................................................................................................................. 10 3.1 Equity ....................................................................................................................................................... 11 3.2 Inclusivity ................................................................................................................................................ 11 3.3 Awareness ............................................................................................................................................... 12 3.4 Transparency .......................................................................................................................................... 12 3.5 Accountability ......................................................................................................................................... 12 3.6 Adaptability ............................................................................................................................................. 13 3.7 Excellence ................................................................................................................................................ 13 4. Implementation of the principles .................................................................................................. 13 4.1 Ethics ....................................................................................................................................................... 13 4.2 Data sharing and infrastructure harmonisation ................................................................................. 17 4.3 Efficiency ................................................................................................................................................. 19 4.4 Stakeholder engagement ...................................................................................................................... 20 4.5 Scientific excellence ............................................................................................................................... 20 ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 4 References .................................................................................................................................................. i Annex ........................................................................................................................................................... i ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 5 1. Introduction ECHOES aims to develop and deploy the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH, hereinafter “the Cloud”), a shared platform for heritage professionals and researchers to work with data, innovative scientific and training resources and advanced digital tools co-developed by the heritage community according to their specific needs. To do that, ECHOES will bring together professionals from various disciplines. The fulfilment of ECHOES’ objectives is strongly dependent on enabling collaboration amongst these different disciplines and domains, while empowering users to interact with digital cultural heritage and jointly develop scientific knowledge. The ECCCH will operate under sustainable conditions and function primarily on a participatory basis requiring transparent and inclusive governance. To achieve this, certain principles driving organisational governance are essential. Without such a clear commitment to such principles, the objective to democratise access to knowledge and digital assets will be put at risk. 1.1 Scope, structure and methodology The governance principles outlined in this deliverable have been compiled and established as foundational elements for the future Cloud governance framework. Although the Cloud entity itself has not yet been implemented, these principles should be integrated throughout all ongoing ECHOES project activities. Accordingly, these principles have been aligned with the project's overarching objectives and, where applicable, with the specific goals of individual work packages. The document is structured to provide a clear and logical framework for understanding and implementing governance principles, or standards (see “Definitions” below) for the foundation of the Cloud in relation to the relevant activities within the ECHOES project. It is divided into two distinct sections. This introductory section positions the document within the broader context of the ECHOES project, offering guidance on its interpretation and practical use. It also details the methodology behind its development, highlighting the collaborative process through which the governance requirements were formulated. Given the diverse backgrounds of the project partners—each representing different perspectives and areas of cultural heritage—it was essential to establish a shared understanding of key concepts. The founding principles and their implementation constitutes the second - core - part of the document. Itis structured around five main chapters, each defining implementation of the founding principles: − Ethical principles – Establishing fundamental ethical principles to guide decision-making, ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability. − Data and infrastructure-related principles – Addressing the principles of the procedural control on management, sharing, and preservation of the cultural heritage data. − Operational principles – Principles for establishing the governance structures, decision-making processes, and resource management strategies necessary for effective project execution and sustainability. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 6 − Principles for building a sustainable community – Focusing on long-term engagement, and stakeholder management. − Principles of excellence Each principle is presented with a clear explanation for unambiguous interpretation and practical use. Reference codes facilitate their application and enable verification throughout the internal and operational frameworks policies. Where implementations interrelate, cross-references are included to maintain coherence and demonstrate their interdependencies. This structure provides a comprehensive yet flexible foundation for establishing the governance of the Cloud, supporting both project implementation and long-term sustainability. The creation of this document was guided by a collaborative process. Between January and March 2025, four dedicated workshops were held, during which core concepts were explored with active participation from various WP members. These sessions fostered a shared understanding and consensus on key governance principles After the workshops, further discussions took place among different WP leads and members responsible for related areas, ensuring consistency and coherence across the project. The document then underwent several iterative review cycles, during which project partners contributed feedback to refine its content, improve clarity, and ensure alignment with ECHOES’ overarching objectives. This iterative, participatory process has resulted in a final document that presents a balanced and comprehensive governance framework. 1.2 Definitions 1.2.1 Standards The term ‘standards’ is used in various contexts and disciplines, including legal, technological, industrial, and organisational frameworks. In general, ‘standards’ refer to a set of established – sometimes also de facto – norms that serve as a reference for ensuring consistency, quality, and interoperability in processes, products, or organisational structures. In this document, the term ‘standards’ is used in two specific ways: • The Cloud governance relies on standards in the broadest sense, including legal regulations, external norms, guidelines, and best practices that provide a recognised framework. These standards may be issued by international organisations, regulatory authorities, cultural heritage communities and serve as a reference point for aligning the Cloud with best practices in its field; • In addition to external references, ‘standards’ is also used to define the set of expectations and commitments that the ECHOES project as the developer of the Cloud establishes for itself. These principles are embodied in internal policies and operational frameworks that ECHOES adheres to for achieving its goal: sustainable access to digital cultural commons. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 7 1.2.2 Principles Within the framework of Cultural Heritage Cloud governance, ‘principles’ refer to fundamental guiding values that ensure responsible, fair, and transparent decision-making processes, the effective running of services, and the support of stakeholders. They provide a basic ethical framework for a normative foundation of research, data governance, and technological applications, shaping policies and practices that balance innovation with social responsibility. 1.2.3 Implementation ‘Implementation’ in this document defines structured expectations that translate broader standards and principles into governance provisions, ensuring their effective application within the Cloud’s organisational structures. They establish obligations and commitments essential for shaping governance frameworks. Through these ‘implementations’, the ECHOES project and the Cloud ensure alignment with ethical best practices, regulatory expectations, and strategic objectives for sustainable digital cultural heritage management. 2. Comparing governance principles 2.1 Methodology Choosing the founding principles for the governance of the Cultural Heritage Cloud is a strategic decision that will have a lasting impact. To establish this list, it appeared important to study what other organisations have done. The aim was to help the ECHOES project choose and define the Cloud’s own founding principles for governance, considering its objectives and specificities, as a pan-European digital platform for professional collaboration in the heritage sector. We created a list of organisations whose area of expertise was of interest for the Cloud (Cultural Heritage or Digital Humanities), as well as organisations with political and governance activities. The aim was to gather material from organisations with similar activities, impact or considerations to ECHOES to learn from their experience and choices. The list was then further enriched by a call to contributions to ECHOES partners that were invited to provide documents and links to their organisation’s governance or ethical principles. The formulation of the call was purposely wide enough to allow partners to share with us any kind of high-level principles – ethical, governing or even professional. We collected the materials in a specific folder in the ECHOES Teams. The final list, accessible in the Annex, includes a number of European instances such as the European Union and the Council of Europe. Research infrastructures such as DARIAH and E-RIHS also provided interesting insights. Finally, professional organisations, both international and national: European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers’ Organisations (E.C.C.O.), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, etc. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 8 2.2 Observations The process of gathering and comparing principles and values from a range of organisations of various sizes, scopes and fields of expertise has led us to make some methodological and semantic observations. The choice made by the governing body of a given organisation to use words like “principles”, “values”, or “guidelines” can be very telling. Indeed, although these terms can have similar meanings, they should not be understood as interchangeable in the wider context of this document 1 . Each term reflects not only a different semantic register but also a distinct disciplinary orientation and institutional intention. The choice of wording signals how an organisation conceives of its own authority, audience, and methodological commitments. For example, invoking "principles" often suggests a foundation of universal or enduring norms 2 , while "values" implies some element of relativity or subjectivity 3 , and typically reflect internal cultural priorities or shared aspirations. Similarly, a “code of conduct” tends to imply enforceable standards tied to professional accountability 4 , whereas “guidelines” may allow for broader interpretative flexibility 5 . One area where this specificity becomes particularly salient is in the formulation of professional codes of conduct. Unlike more abstract or aspirational declarations of values, these codes serve as concrete operational tools. They articulate expected behaviours, delineate responsibilities, and often include mechanisms for accountability. Their function is not merely symbolic — they support professional identity, reinforce institutional integrity, and can serve as a bridge between ethical intention and practice. The study of the codes of conduct gathered in the Annex might seem a bit of a stretch from the objective of this document. However, we chose to include them in our comparative exercise as at least part of them reflect broader governance and ethical principles. It appeared important to understand and include the broader professional considerations of some of the communities that will constitute the user base of the future Cloud. These codes have, as a result, partly informed the section 4 on Implementations of the Founding Principles. Mapping these documents across institutions sometimes proved challenging. Some organisations do not present such frameworks in a formalised or consolidated form. While their values or ethical commitments may be discernible through strategic plans, mission statements, or governance documents, they are not always codified as standalone lists or policies. Nevertheless, when they do 1 However, in this section “values”, “principles”, “guidelines” and codes of conduct will be analysed together to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the choices made by the organisations studied. 2 “Principle”, Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, 2025. URL: https://www.oed.com/dictionary/principle_n?tab=meaning_and_use#28387145 3 “Value”, Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, 2025. URL: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/value. 4 “Code of conduct”, in “Code”, Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, 2025. URL: https://www.oed.com/dictionary/code_n?tab=meaning_and_use#1284443290. 5 “Guideline”, Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, 2025. URL: https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/guideline ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 15 Fundamental Rights within the ECCCH. namely Freedom of expression and information (article 11 of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights), and Freedom of the arts and sciences (article 13 of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights). Open communication and dissemination guarantee broad access to knowledge, supporting the unrestricted exchange of information. Actively engaging cultural heritage professionals, academic researchers, decisionmakers, and the public fosters a participatory environment where scholarly contributions are valued. Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration strengthens academic freedom by enabling diverse research approaches and cross-field dialogue. E.04 The Cloud is committed to maintaining the highest scientific ethical standards and promoting Open Science principles. Scientific integrity relies on ethical research practices, ensuring transparency, reproducibility, and responsible data-sharing. the Cloud governance will align with Open Science principles, promoting open access to research outputs, methodologies, and datasets while maintaining ethical safeguards. The project will encourage FAIR principles, facilitating structured, well-documented, and ethically sound data-sharing without imposing mandatory open access. Governance policies will define clear guidelines for responsible authorship, data citation, and ethical publication practices, ensuring contributors retain control over their research while enabling broader knowledge dissemination. The governance transition to a legal entity will embed these principles into long-term research management, ensuring sustainability. The dissemination of the Cloud outcomes will ensure that research findings are shared ethically with professionals, institutions, and the public. Additionally, interdisciplinary collaboration will strengthen ethical research methodologies by fostering responsible data-sharing practices across diverse scientific communities. The curation of the Knowledge Base will further ensure that scientific data is systematically preserved and made accessible in alignment with ethical and FAIR principles. E.05 The Cloud shall maintain transparency in all governance activities and ensure accountability through structured oversight mechanisms. Transparency and accountability are essential for ethical governance, requiring clear documentation, open decision-making, and independent oversight. the Cloud will establish mechanisms for publishing governance decisions, ensuring that stakeholders have access to relevant information. Regular audits and evaluation reports will provide accountability, allowing corrective measures to be taken when necessary. The long-term governance framework will integrate transparency as a fundamental principle. Compliance monitoring will ensure that governance structures remain accountable, while structured evaluation and reporting will provide continuous oversight of governance decisions. E.06 The Cloud governance shall ensure the protection of personal and sensitive data, adhering to strict European privacy regulations and fundamental ethical principles. Respecting privacy is essential for both research data governance within the Cloud and the broader organisational and operational aspects of the Cloud. The governance framework must ensure that all personal, institutional, and operational data is collected, stored, and processed securely. Policies will be in place to enforce data minimisation, limiting the collection and retention of unnecessary information. Furthermore, privacy impact assessments will be conducted regularly to identify risks and strengthen protective measures. Governance mechanisms will ensure compliance with relevant data protection regulations, including GDPR, providing oversight for both technical and organisational privacy concerns. The CH knowledge base will incorporate privacy-preserving mechanisms, enforcing privacy considerations when sharing information with stakeholders, ensuring that personal and institutional data is handled responsibly in all public and internal communications. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 16 E.07 The Cloud shall ensure that intellectual property rights (IPR) align with ethical best practices, protecting authors' rights. Respecting intellectual property rights is crucial in research and cultural heritage governance. the Cloud will establish clear policies for licensing data. Contributors will be recognised for their intellectual contributions, and mechanisms will be put in place to balance proprietary rights with Open Science commitments. Governance structures will integrate IPR protections, ensuring that all stakeholders' rights are respected. The CH knowledge base will implement secure access mechanisms, balancing openness with IPR protection. Additionally, community engagement strategies will ensure that intellectual contributions from diverse stakeholders are respected and acknowledged. E.08 The Cloud shall recognise and uphold the control of ownership rights of individual, and institutional researchers, contributors, and their communities over their data an intellectual property. Respecting data ownership is also fundamental to the ethical framework for the distributed data services, ensuring that those who generate, collect, or contribute data maintain control over its use. The Cloud will establish clear policies on data ownership, including consent-based data sharing, clear declarations, proper attribution, and secure data storage. These policies will protect individuals and institutions from unauthorised use and misuse while promoting responsible data collaboration. Mechanisms will be in place to address disputes and ensure that stakeholders retain appropriate control over their data. To reinforce these principles, the Cloud will integrate data ownership safeguards into its dissemination efforts, ensuring that contributors retain proper recognition when research outputs are shared with professionals, institutions, and the public. The curation of the Knowledge Base will ensure that data ownership rights are respected in structured information management, promoting responsible attribution and ethical data reuse. E.09 The Cloud shall ensure the transparency of AI applications, that they are ethically designed and aligned with principles of fairness and accountability. AI technologies must adhere to ethical governance frameworks to prevent bias, enhance transparency, and ensure accountability. the Cloud will establish AI governance policies that align with the EU AI Act's risk-based classification. High-risk AI applications within the project will be subject to strict oversight, requiring inclusivity audits, explainability measures, and mechanisms for human oversight. This is particularly relevant for AI-generated synthetic voices and visual reconstructions of persons, where AI models could generate ethically questionable content or for AI applications processing personal data from archival collections. For lower-risk AI applications, such as automated language translation tools or text-based metadata tagging, the Cloud governance will require transparency obligations, ensuring that users are informed when AI is in use. These applications will also undergo periodic evaluation to ensure that they do not introduce biases or inaccuracies that could impact accessibility and inclusivity. Limited-risk AI applications will be designed with safeguards that promote responsible and transparent use. To ensure compliance with these standards, the Cloud will implement an AI Risk Register to classify and monitor AI systems based on their risk category. The Cloud governance will integrate ethical AI policies into decision-making processes to ensure responsible development and deployment. Interdisciplinary collaboration will support the evaluation of AI fairness by incorporating diverse disciplinary perspectives. Evaluation tools will include specific mechanisms for monitoring AI-driven processes, ensuring they comply with ethical standards. E.10 The Cloud shall apply environmental sustainability perspectives in its governance and Governance plays a critical role in ensuring environmental sustainability by establishing policies that promote responsible resource use and mitigate environmental impact. The Cloud governance will enforce sustainability ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 17 operational practices, encouraging and supporting measures to minimise its ecological footprint. standards while supporting initiatives that reduce the project's ecological footprint. This includes prioritising energy-efficient digital infrastructure, sustainable procurement practices, and environmentally conscious operational policies. Long-term governance planning will integrate sustainability as a core value. The CH Cloud infrastructure will be designed with energy efficiency in mind, ensuring that digital resources are managed sustainably. Additionally, interdisciplinary collaboration will support research into sustainable cultural heritage practices, ensuring that environmental considerations are embedded in heritage preservation strategies. E.11 The Cloud shall ensure that its governance framework ensures resilience and adaptability to the evolving ethical challenges while maintaining core ethical principles. Ethical governance must be able to adapt to emerging challenges while ensuring that fundamental principles are upheld. The Cloud will implement a governance model that enables adjustments in response to new ethical concerns, technological advancements, or stakeholder needs. Regular ethical risk assessments will be conducted to identify areas requiring adaptation, and structured feedback mechanisms will be established to facilitate responsive governance. This approach is integrated into the long-term governance and management of the project, ensuring that ethical principles remain embedded in decisionmaking processes. Compliance monitoring will allow for ongoing assessment of ethical risks and necessary adjustments. The engagement of a diverse range of cultural heritage institutions will further enhance ethical resilience by incorporating multiple perspectives into governance decisions. E.12 The Cloud shall provide decisionmakers with regular capacity building actions to enhance their ability in applying ethical principles in practice. The Cloud strives to ensure that the actions and behaviours of decisionmakers within the governance of the Cloud follows ethical principles. For this to be possible, decision-makers in the relevant governance bodies should be well-trained in ethics management. This will safeguard the integrity and trustworthiness of decisions and activities within the Cloud. The Cloud should take responsibility for ensuring that such training efforts are put in place. This includes facilitating regular workshops on ethical principles and their application on governance. This should happen alongside the creation of ethical guidelines, as well as case studies and scenario-based learning to develop ethical reasoning skills. Establishing structured long-term governance requires equipping leaders with ethical reasoning skills, reinforcing responsible decision-making. To maintain compliance with commitments, ethics training provides decisionmakers with the necessary tools to apply ethical principles in governance oversight and accountability measures. As the project transitions to a legal entity, embedding ethical guidelines and structured training within its governance ensures that transparency and trustworthiness remain fundamental principles. 4.2 Data sharing and infrastructure harmonisation ID REQUIREMENT IMPLEMENTATION ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 18 D.01 The Cloud shall provide and apply a data management strategy based on the founding principles. The Cloud will manage heterogeneous data from diverse cultural heritage institutions, enterprises and individual professionals, ensuring interoperability through standard metadata models and compliance with international governance frameworks. Thus, the project guarantees sustainable data management and will work out a detailed data management plan for the collaborative Cloud. The data management plan must implement the FAIR principles and requires detailed information on the subsequent use of the data. A clearly defined data management policy is the basis for the reuse of data and, therefore, for derived data sharing and data access policies. D.02 The Cloud shall include scenarios for data distribution and data integration based on international standards. The Cloud must integrate into existing research infrastructures. The application of international data standards/formats and thesauri ensures interoperability with other external entities. To achieve this, the data must be publicly accessible, and ECHOES must be able to guarantee this access during project runtime and beyond. The application of international data governance standards includes the use of interoperable and standardised data formats for data and metadata. External entities are independent of the project. This also applies to entities funded by ECHOES through the Cascading Grants program. D.03 The Cloud shall adopt and/or establish security policies and guidelines in alignment with the ISO/IEC 27000 series. The Cloud works with data from various individuals and institutions. It must guarantee to never pose a security risk to external or internal persons nor institutions. The project will therefore develop comprehensive security policies and guidelines regarding data management, cybersecurity, and software development in general. Key international standards for information security management systems, such as the ISO/IEC 27000 series, will be considered in the development of the policies. It must be ensured that unauthorised access to data is not possible, which could result in data being intercepted, manipulated, or deleted; that it is not possible to misuse identities in the system for unethical and illegal purposes; and that the integrity and provenance of the data are guaranteed at all times. Furthermore, the Cloud must be compliant with the GDPR when storing personal data to minimise potential security risks. External entities shall be selected with reference to the EU Cloud Code of Conduct to ensure alignment with GDPRcompliant data protection standards. D.04 The Cloud shall provide sustainability in access, preservation, and integrity of data. The Cloud must foresee sustainable infrastructure and results regarding longterm data access and preservation. It must be ensured that these achievements use data formats which are compliant with long-term archiving standards (e.g. ISO 14721) as well as long-term archiving infrastructure (e.g. certified repositories), which are available independent from the ECHOES project duration, and which can be migrated to other systems. The sustainability strategy must contain a consistent data lifecycle that guarantees data integrity for all assets. This includes a detailed change management for editorial tasks as well as archival obligations (e.g. retention and deletion policies). D.05 The Cloud shall ensure reversibility regarding data, processes and mechanisms within the governance framework. The Cloud shall ensure the ability to reverse decisions, processes, or changes when deemed necessary to protect the integrity, accessibility, and sustainability of cultural heritage data/information. This includes the capability to rollback software updates, restore previous states of datasets using systematic data versioning methods, and revoke governance decisions if they prove harmful or ineffective. Mechanisms for implementing reversibility must be documented, tested regularly, and incorporated into the broader governance framework to ensure transparency and accountability. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 19 4.3 Efficiency ID REQUIREMENT IMPLEMENTATION F.01 The Cloud shall ensure transparency in its governance structure: once the various instances of the Cloud governance are established, their structure shall be made available to the public. Publishing clear governance diagram(s) is essential for the users of the Cloud to understand the roles and objectives of the different governance instances, as well as the interactions between them. In addition, publishing the names of the people involved in the various instances helps build trust within the community, and keeps the feeling of an impersonal, arbitrary governance at bay. F.02 The Cloud will also ensure transparency in decisionmaking: in order to have an efficient and transparent Cloud governance, it shall ensure that users of the Cloud can easily find clear and detailed information on important decision processes. Decisions, especially those affecting users and their data, shall be traceable to a specific decision-making process and to the relevant instances. F.03 The Cloud shall establish a clear communication on decisions. Important decisions shall be made public. Any decisions taken by governance instances that have the potential to affect the user experience of the Cloud, or any decisions that relate to the management of data must be made public before the expected date of implementation. Keeping the users of the Cloud informed is crucial to establish a lasting and involved community, and to create trust. F.04 A process for appeal of decisions will be implemented within the Cloud. A decision may be appealed by one or several stakeholders, provided they prove the decisions is detrimental to their interests. F.05 The Cloud shall have precise documenting and reporting workflows. Diligent reports of instances meeting must be written and archived in order to document the decision-making processes. Internal reporting within the governance instances of the Cloud is necessary to ensure fluidity in the working processes, and accountability. It is also essential in the event of an audit by an authority providing funding (either European, national or local), to be able to present proof of the actions undertaken and the decisions made. F.06 The Cloud shall ensure its own budget sustainability: a midto long-term plan of budget use shall be drafted by the competent governance instances to ensure mediumterm budget sustainability and be presented to the stakeholders for validation. To ensure the sustainability of the budget of the Cloud, the use of the budget should be planned in the short, medium and long term. Presenting a medium-term budget plan to the stakeholders ensures that a satisfactory balance is found in the division of financial resources and increases accountability for the governance instances. In the event of significant financial losses, the relevant governance instances shall present the stakeholders with a plan to stop the losses and limit the consequences on the functioning of the Cloud. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 20 4.4 Stakeholder engagement ID REQUIREMENT IMPLEMENTATION S.01 The Cloud shall ensure that mechanisms for user feedback incorporation are put in place. The Cloud must be able to adapt to the needs and practices of its users. It shall therefore design and implement mechanisms within the governance that enable the gathering of user feedback and its incorporation. The project will thus guarantee the adaptability, responsiveness and sustainability of the Cloud by remaining up to date with the users’ needs. S.04 The Cloud shall ensure transparency in collaboration and decisionmaking with stakeholders. The governance of the Cloud should enable transparent relations with stakeholders. It should guarantee that all processes and decisions are clearly documented and openly communicated to ensure trust among stakeholders. This shall be achieved by establishing clear lines of responsibility and authority, implementing mechanisms for stakeholders to question and challenge decisions, ensuring consequences for misconduct or failure to meet obligations and scheduling regular reporting on performance and goal achievement. S.02 The governance model of the Cloud shall ensure customisation and adaptability of services through continuous stakeholder engagement. The Cloud shall design and apply clear, stakeholder-informed metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the Cloud services. These metrics must be developed in consultation with end users and updated through continuous stakeholder feedback. Regular tracking and reporting shall ensure high standards of data quality, system performance, and compliance. The inclusion of stakeholder input in service evaluation will support the ongoing customisation and adaptability of the Cloud, ensuring its flexibility, relevance, and long-term sustainability. S.03 The Cloud shall support the continuous improvement and innovation. Governance must support the ability to quickly adapt the environment to changes such as technological advances or regulatory changes, ensuring that the governance remains reactive. It should encourage the adoption of new technologies and approaches to continuously improve operational processes and adapt to future challenges. Identify, assess, and mitigate risks proactively to avoid operational disruptions and ensure stability. 4.5 Scientific excellence ID REQUIREMENT IMPLEMENTATION X.01 The Cloud shall ensure scientific rigour in the development of tools, services, and methodologies for digital cultural heritage. To ensure the highest standards of scientific and professional excellence, all components of the Cloud shall be subject to rigorous evaluation mechanisms, including interdisciplinary peer review, technical validation, and user testing. Governance policies must institutionalise continuous improvement processes that incorporate structured feedback from the heritage community, fostering innovation, relevance, and sustained excellence in all project outcomes. X.02 The governance model of the Cloud shall institutionalise crossdisciplinary co-creation as a core mechanism for ensuring scientific and professional excellence. The governance framework must formally integrate co-creation processes involving researchers, heritage professionals, and technologists. It shall ensure that decisionmaking bodies and working groups reflect disciplinary diversity and are empowered to guide the iterative development of tools, services, and methods tailored to sectorspecific needs. Governance rules must also support structured knowledge exchange and the systematic inclusion of humanities, social sciences, and technological expertise in all strategic and operational layers of the Cloud. X.03 The governance model of the Cloud shall enable excellence through strategic collaboration Governance policies shall mandate alignment and formal cooperation with established European and international research infrastructures (e.g., EOSC, DARIAH, Europeana) to ensure complementarity, knowledge transfer, and best practice adoption. This strategic engagement will reinforce the excellence and interoperability of the Cloud services and datasets. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance 21 with leading research infrastructures. X. 04 The Cloud shall promote excellence through training and capacitybuilding NG across the cultural heritage sector. Governance policies shall require the development and maintenance of high-quality training programmes co-created with stakeholders to strengthen competencies in digital tools, data literacy, and interdisciplinary research. To foster excellence across all levels of the heritage sector, these programmes must include open educational resources and modular, adaptable learning paths accessible to institutions of varying size and capacity. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance i References ALLEA (2023), The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity – Revised Edition 2023. Berlin. DOI 10.26356/ECOC. Archaeological Institute of America, Code of Professional Standards, approved by the Council on December 29, 1994, amended December 29, 1997 and January 5, 2008. Code of Conduct for Cloud Service Providers : Lignes directrices pour la protection des données et la transparence : https://www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files/2024-02/eucloudcoc.pdf Council of Europe, “12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance ». URL: https://www.coe.int/en/web/centre-ofexpertise-for-multilevel-governance/12-principles#{%2225565951%22:[0]}. DARIAH 2020: 25 Key Actions for a Stronger DARIAH by 2020, a “living document” that has been approved by the DARIAH’s General Assembly in November 2017. Data management - H2020 Online Manual Data principles - Digital Society E-RIHS ERIC, Scientific and Technical Description, v 5.02, 2022 (internal document, not public yet). Ethics and data protection https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/20212027/horizon/guidance/ethics-and-data-protection_he_en.pdf European Association of Archaeologists, The EAA Code of Practice, approved on 27 September 1997, amended on 19 September 2009. European Cloud Alliance : https://www.europeancloudalliance.com/ European Cloud Initiative : Création d'une économie des données compétitive et sécurisée : https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/carriage/european-cloud-initiative/report?sid=8501 European Commission, , “1.4 Principles”. JRC Data Spaces Knowledge Base. URL: https://wikis.ec.europa.eu/spaces/jrcdataspaceswiki/pages/57444509/1.4+Principles. European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers’ Organisations, E.C.C.O. Professional Guidelines (II), adopted by E.C.C.O.’s General Assembly on 7 March 2003. European Data Space, URL: https://wikis.ec.europa.eu/spaces/jrcdataspaceswiki/pages/57444509/1.4+Principles. European Interoperability Framework: https://ec.europa.eu/isa2/sites/default/files/eif_brochure_final.pdf European Open Science Cloud, EOSC Declaration, Brussels, 26 October 2017. European Strategy for Data : Recommandations sur la gouvernance des données : https://digitalstrategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/strategy-data ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance ii European Union, “Aims and Values”. URL: https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countrieshistory/principles-and-values/aims-and-values_en. Europeana, “Mission”. URL: https://pro.europeana.eu/about-us/mission. Fondazione Scuola dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali, Codice etico e di comportamento, approvato dal Consiglio di Gestione in data di 4 febbraio 2019. Guidelines for the preservation of digital heritage - UNESCO Digital Library Guidelines on cloud computing services for the European banking sector : Lignes directrices éthiques et de gouvernance: https://www.bankingsupervision.europa.eu/legalframework/publiccons/pdf/ssm.pubcon240603_draftguide.en.pdf Heritage Council of Ireland, Our Place in Time, Heritage Council Strategic Plan 2023-2028. Historic Environment Scotland, Policy Statement, 2016. ICOMOS, “Our missions and values”. URL: https://www.icomos.org/icomos-our-mission-and-values/. Institute of Archaeologists, Code of Conduct, ratified and adopted on 3 June 1985 revised on 12 September 1988, 17 September 1993, 14 October 1994, 22 September 1995, 11 September 1996, 10 September 1997, 7 September 2000, 5 September 2002, 2 October 2006, 1 October 2007, 15 October 2008, 12 October 2009 and 14 April 2010. International Council of Museums, ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums, 2017. International Council of Museums, Strategic Plan 2022-2028, 2022. Joint Programming Initiative on Cultural Heritage and Global Change, Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda 2020, 2020. NEMO, “Strategic focus”. URL: https://www.ne-mo.org/about-us/our-strategy/strategic-focus/. Pascal Lievaux, Isabelle Pallot-Frossard (Dir.), Un patrimoine pour l’avenir, une science pour le patrimoine. Une aventure européenne de la recherche et de l’innovation. 2022. hal-03796130. Principles for Digital Development Règlement général sur la protection des données (RGPD) : Dispositions pour la gouvernance éthique des données : https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016R0679 Robert SHIPLEY, Jason F. KOVACS, “Good governance principles for the cultural heritage sector: lessons from international experience”, Corporate Governance, Vol. 8 No. 2, Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2008, pp. 214228. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238325099_Good_governance_principles_for_the_cultural_heritage_s ector_Lessons_from_international_experience Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, Code of Professional Conduct, 2009. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance iii The Principles of Open Scholarly Infrastructure https://openscholarlyinfrastructure.org/ Theo LYNN & al., Data privacy and trust in cloud computing, Palgrave, 2021 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1w3NIedCJKsHTsw7pg5bAUOAUllljkZKr Todd PRESNER, Ethics of the algorithm, Princeton, 2024 (https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691258966/ethics-of-the-algorithm) Turning FAIR into reality - Publications Office of the EU UNESCO Charter on the Preservation of the Digital Heritage What are the 7 main principles of GDPR? ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance vii EOSC Stakeholder-driven governance model* [Governance framework] The EOSC governance framework will be co-designed, stakeholder driven and composed of three main layers: 1) institutional, including EU Member States and European Commission 2) operational, including an executive board and relevant working committees (e.g. thematic and functional) and 3) advisory, including a stakeholder forum. Accountability via co-funding mechanism* [Funding] Over time, a co-funding mechanism mixing different revenue streams for the EOSC will be set up, to increase the accountability of the governance, building trust, sharing resources and building long-term capacity for European research data. Early implementation of the EOSC will pilot innovative business models and support an integrated data and service platform for European research. Strong and flexible governance model* [Governance model] A long-term, sustainable research infrastructure in Europe requires a strong and flexible governance model based on trust and increasing mutuality. As interdisciplinarity is one of the main objectives of the EOSC, the governance model should be based on representativity, proportionality, accountability, inclusiveness and transparency. Long-term sustainability* [Long-term sustainability] Research Funders will use existing and future resources strategically, to ensure long-term sustainability of open research data and research infrastructures, facilitating inter-disciplinarity. International vision* [Global aspects] The EOSC will be European and open to the world, reaching out over time to relevant global research partners. It will increase the global value of open research data and support stakeholder engagement, including researchers and citizens. It will gradually widen the initiative to federated network of infrastructures and nodes from global research partners. The EOSC Stakeholder Forum will have an important role in this sense. DARIAH Enable digital arts and humanities research SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PRINCIPLES Integrate existing resources, research and services SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PRINCIPLES Use innovations from the national DARIAH partners and scale them to a European level SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PRINCIPLES Deliver methodological innovation and promote interdisciplinary research SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PRINCIPLES Stay digitally focused and analogue aware SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PRINCIPLES ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance viii DARIAH Operate under a sustainable business model within the larger scientific community in Europe ORGANISATIONAL PRINCIPLES Be receptive to community needs ORGANISATIONAL PRINCIPLES Deliver easy to use services and resources ORGANISATIONAL PRINCIPLES Delegate trust and share responsibilities ORGANISATIONAL PRINCIPLES Display high quality services ORGANISATIONAL PRINCIPLES Governed and led by the arts and humanities research community COMMUNITY PRINCIPLES Become community-driven COMMUNITY PRINCIPLES Be inclusive COMMUNITY PRINCIPLES Promote openness COMMUNITY PRINCIPLES Enable transnational collaboration COMMUNITY PRINCIPLES Promote standards and best practices COMMUNITY PRINCIPLES JPI Holistic approach Cultural heritage has long been considered without regard to its environment, whilst the impact of human activities on natural areas has been neglected. It is therefore relevant to consider the links between cultural and natural heritage more closely than has been done in the past. Today, we talk about cultural landscape and consider heritage at a territorial level. Cultural heritage exists in combinations of tangible, intangible and digital forms. It is being produced continuously and contributes to the creation of identities. Collaborative and transdisciplinary research Collaborative research with heritage professionals, NGOs, associations and a broad range of heritage institutions and management bodies (public and private) is encouraged. The priority research areas identified within SRIA 2020 should provide the space for investigator-led and curiosity-driven research across all disciplines within the JPI CH remit. Research should be truly integrative and provide opportunities to explore all forms of cultural heritage (tangible, intangible and digital) alongside its many interfaces with natural heritage and the environment. It should involve collaboration and work across disciplinary, conceptual, theoretical, methodological and international boundaries. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance ix JPI Public-led research and community engagement should be a catalyst for innovation and guarantee greater impact Citizen science and the co-design and co-production of research are advocated. Knowledge sharing and co-creation are essential and a range of methods and educational tools to engage the broader public should be developed. Public and community engagement as well as participatory approaches should be at the core of activities and thought should be given to who creates knowledge, narrative and the role of communities in identifying, understanding and caring for heritage. Digital Heritage researchers, whenever and wherever possible, should be applying and embedding new and emerging technologies and tools and exploring new methods for identification, knowledge, conservation and transmission as well as data gathering and analysis. Researchers should explore the role of artificial intelligence and new noninvasive, remote imaging and non-destructive measurement and testing techniques for archaeology, heritage and art. A critical digital studies approach should be taken which ensures that digital tools and outputs are accessible and sustainable. Education and training The JPI CH aims to inspire a new generation of cultural heritage research and innovation actors across Europe through capacity building and formal and informal learning opportunities, in particular for young people. Research should provide opportunities for the provision of training to enable researchers to work across disciplines and all forms of heritage, and to support researchers at different stages of their careers. The JPI CH promotes inclusive research and diversity in researchers’ gender, socio-economic and ethnic background. Communication, dissemination and impact The JPI CH aims to build a culture that enables researchers to share their findings and demonstrate cultural, social, environmental and economic impact. They should be shared with and disseminated to researchers (including those in other disciplines), as well as to international stakeholders such as NGOs and users of cultural heritage, other industries, creators and the wider public including young people and hardto-reach communities. There should be greater support for research to underpin the development of policies and guidelines for the preservation and use of cultural heritage. Working with other initiatives and infrastructure in Europe and beyond The JPI CH encourages collaboration and the use of existing networks to avoid duplication, whilst also considering which new initiatives and infrastructure developments are needed. Research activities should link into existing infrastructure initiatives such as European Research Infrastructure for heritage science (E-RIHS), Digital Research Infrastructure for the Arts and Humanities (DARIAH) and Europeana and European policies, laws and regulations. They should also build on and collaborate with funding initiatives such as Humanities in the European Research Area (HERA) and the other JPIs and future EU research partnerships. The JPI CH aims to be a key actor in strengthening the heritage science22 community and promoting heritage science as a field of research in its own right. All European Academies (ALLEA) Reliability Reliability in ensuring the quality of research, reflected in the design, methodology, analysis, and use of resources. Honesty Honesty in developing, undertaking, reviewing, reporting, and communicating research in a transparent, fair, full, and unbiased way. Respect Respect for colleagues, research participants, research subjects, society, ecosystems, cultural heritage, and the environment. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance x Accountability Accountability for the research from idea to publication, for its management and organisation, for training, supervision, and mentoring, and for its wider societal impacts. ICOMOS Diversity and Interdisciplinarity ICOMOS is made up of an enormously diverse range of people with varying, complementary professional and cultural backgrounds, from civil servants to academic researchers to private sector employees. Our members work together in a spirit of collegiality, respecting one another’s diverse professional and technical knowledge, across cultures and belief systems. Impartiality As an NGO, in all circumstances – and especially as one of the three World Heritage Convention Advisory Bodies – we rely on our members, whose professional experience and expertise, technical know-how and independence allow us to work with impartiality and according to a shared ethical code. Exchanges and Solidarity At ICOMOS, we endeavour to bring people and cultures together. This involves facilitating the work and movement of members in disadvantaged or crisis situations. During major natural disasters and conflicts, ICOMOS’ experts and specialists are mobilised to develop emergency measures for preserving, conserving and restoring damaged or at-risk heritage. This is also evidenced by our role as a founding member of the Blue Shield. Empowering the Next Generation A key part of our mission at ICOMOS is to raise awareness of heritage and related challenges, and to exchange knowledge and know-how between generations. As such, we mentor emerging professionals, who are deeply involved with the issues at stake and in our different actions. Emerging professionals can be elected to positions of responsibility in their respective Committees as well as on the Board of ICOMOS, exchanging their know-how with more established members of the organisation. Access to Information At ICOMOS, we believe that free and unrestricted access to scientific knowledge is fundamental to good heritage conservation. To enable this, we have our own open access archive platform, PUBLICOMOS. Additionally, ICOMOS’ Documentation Centre offers a wealth of documentary resources, with over 40,000 titles and 40,000 graphic documents, World Heritage documents, and more. NEMO Collection value Our vision: Tangible and intangible collections are at the heart of museums. NEMO wants to see that collections are well taken care of for present and future generations and are as widely accessible to all people as possible. They reflect different perspectives, cultural complexity and are used in multiple ways for the benefit of the society. Our concerns: The collections are not seen as a core of the museum work and a funding priority by policy makers and funding organisations. The collection-related work does not always have adequate resources for taking proper care of their collections, developing and making optimal use of them. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance xi NEMO Our mission: We advocate for the manifold values and uses of collections and provide a platform for museums to exchange good practices for the acquisition, deaccession, conservation, preservation, research, accessibility, interpretation, identification and innovative use of museum collections. Social value Our vision: Museums are part of a good life and provide social well-being. They communicate with all generations and serve society at large. They strengthen the social fabric and serve as places for meeting and dialogue for different cultures and offer opportunities for individual growth. Our concerns: Museums are not fully acknowledged and supported in their role as social agents, they lack visibility and opportunities to cooperate with other sectors such as the health and the social sector. Our mission: We highlight the social value and support the potential of museums for society by promoting their contribution to different social agendas such as health, tolerance, education, environment, democracy, active citizenship, social justice and poverty to policy makers and stakeholders from other sectors. Educational value Our vision: Museums help people develop as individuals and understand their place in the world. They are life-long learning environments, complementary to all other forms of education and they offer additional learning opportunities for all. Our concerns: Museums are still not acknowledged and supported as an important agent in the educational system. Our mission: We support museums to be recognised as rich learning environments and places of public engagement and provide the platform for the exchange of good practices. Economic value Our vision: Museums are important actors in the economy and the creative sectors. They are at the heart of successful urban regeneration and cultural tourism initiatives. They are places of, actors in and partners for the creative economy. Our concerns: Museums are not fully acknowledged and supported as actors contributing positively to the economy and the creative sectors. There is still little comprehensive and comparable data available, and an appropriate framework to measure aggregate economic value and spill-over effects of museums is lacking. Our mission: We want to to ensure that museums are recognised for their positive impact on the economy and the creative industries and supports enhanced cooperation with partners to fully tap into museums’ economic impact. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance xii NEMO Digital transformation Our vision: Digital technologies affect all aspects of museum work today. With their digital potential museums contribute to different social aspects as sources of creative innovation, information and all forms of learning. They interact with different audiences and promote open and democratic access to their collections on a global level. Our concerns: Museums are lagging behind in fully tapping their digital potential, on an infrastructural, skills and knowledge and strategical level. To keep up with the exponential digital development museums have to fully embrace their digital extension. Public funding for digital transformation is scarce and should be made available for long term and experimental initiatives. Our mission: We advocate for tailored regional, national and European funding long opportunities for museums with a focus on the development of digital skills and infrastructure of museums, including the development of sound metrics, frameworks and methods to track digital activities and success factors. Professional development Our vision: Museums contribute to a sense of belonging, shared values and solidarity among a society in constant change. The empowerment and capacity building of professionals who work in museums and take care of cultural heritage are at the core of successful museum work and meaningful social impact. Our concerns: The importance of life-long learning and continuous training in all aspects of museum work to help museum professionals and the museum sector at large to embrace new societal developments and demands, and to enhance the value of museums to society, is not fully acknowledged and supported. Our mission: We advocate for support through continuous and targeted capacity building programmes for museum professionals that will equip them with new and emerging skills as an integral part of contemporary museum work. We offer museum professionals European capacity building programmes to share experiences and knowledge and to foster a European dimension in museum work. Sustainable transition Our vision: The consequences of climate change have a dramatic ecological and social impact on every sector and element of society and museums and the work of museum professionals are not an exception. Adaptations to museum operations are key to preserve the impact of collections and knowledge for the benefit of future generations. The potential of museums to educate, engage and activate the public to act for a sustainable future should be adequately acknowledged, supported, and streamlined in museum practice and strategy. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance xiii NEMO Our concerns: Museums have not been adequately supported by governing and funding institutions to make a successful sustainable transition, nor has their potential to support the sustainable transition of our society been fully acknowledged. Our mission: We advocate for the potential of museums to be key actors in the fight against climate change and to be supported to tap their full potential through policies and funding programmes supporting Europe’s sustainable transition. We help museums create awareness, exchange and build capacities as they adapt to climate friendly operations and use their platform to incorporate the urgency and action necessary to prevent further global temperature increase, biodiversity loss and consequent social and ecological casualties. E.C.C.O. Social value Our Vision: Cultural heritage safeguarded for society through high standards in the professional practice of ConservationRestoration. Quality professional practice Our Vision: Cultural heritage safeguarded for society through high standards in the professional practice of ConservationRestoration. Professional development Our Mission: To organize, develop and promote, on a practical, scientific and cultural level, the profession of the ConservatorRestorer. To set standards and regulate practice at European level and enhance communication between and mobility of professionals. To strengthen the role and responsibilities of the Conservator-Restorer in relation to others in safeguarding cultural heritage. Quality professional practice/Standards Our Mission: To organize, develop and promote, on a practical, scientific and cultural level, the profession of the ConservatorRestorer. To set standards and regulate practice at European level and enhance communication between and mobility of professionals. To strengthen the role and responsibilities of the Conservator-Restorer in relation to others in safeguarding cultural heritage. Social/professional accountability Our Mission: To organize, develop and promote, on a practical, scientific and cultural level, the profession of the ConservatorRestorer. To set standards and regulate practice at European level and enhance communication between and mobility of professionals. To strengthen the role and responsibilities of the Conservator-Restorer in relation to others in safeguarding cultural heritage. Professional accountability Strategic goals: E.C.C.O.'s work focuses on the role of Conservator-Restorers in the safeguarding of cultural heritage and their relationship with other professions in the field. Quality professional practice/Social value Strategic goals: Quality derives from an ethical approach that ensures a consistently high standard of work and its results, achieved in an accountable manner. Open communication/Accessibility and participation Strategic goals: Every aspect of our work relies on open communication towards our member organisations, affiliated organisations, European governmental bodies and the broader community. Advocacy of our goals can only be effective when we have a high level of visibility. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance xiv E.C.C.O. Quality professional practice/mobility Strategic goals: A conservator-restorer with recognized competence is entitled to work anywhere throughout Europe. Greater mobility is achieved via the mutual recognition of qualifications. Rule of Law/professional accountability/Social value Strategic goals: The impact of legislation and European directives on the Conservator-Restorers’ profession, including the legal obligations, has specific significance for cultural heritage and the practice of Conservation-Restoration. Advocacy/Social accountability Strategic goals: Guidance means a proactive approach in giving advice and in developing tools and recommendations to the benefit of E.C.C.O.’s member organisations. European Data Space Self Determination Data sovereignty Privacy Trust Transparency Security Fair competition Consumer protection Fundamental rights Citizen participation and empowerment Innovation Sustainability Openness Data altruism Preservation and promotion* Museums preserve, interpret and promote the natural and cultural inheritance of humanity. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance xv ICOM Code of conduct Public benefit* Museums that maintain collections hold them in trust for the benefit of society and its development. Knowledge* Museums hold primary evidence for establishing and furthering knowledge. Opportunities* Museums provide opportunities for the appreciation, understanding and management of the natural and cultural heritage. Museums hold resources that provide opportunities for other public services and benefits. Communities* Museums work in close collaboration with the communities from which their collections originate as well as those they serve. Legality* Museums operate in a legal manner. Professionality* Museums operate in a professional manner. ICOM Strategic Plan International outlook* We are international in outlook. Professional focus* We are professional in focus. Collaboration* We are collaborative in practice. European Association of Archaeologists Preservation* It is the duty of every archaeologist to ensure the preservation of the archaeological heritage by every legal means. Communication* In achieving that end archaeologists will take active steps to inform the general public at all levels of the objectives and methods of archaeology in general and of individual projects in particular, using all the communication techniques at their disposal. Professional excellence* Where preservation is impossible, archaeologists will ensure that investigations are carried out to the highest professional standards. Archaeologists will carry out their work to the highest standards recognised by their professional peers. Impact* In carrying out such projects, archaeologists will wherever possible, and in accordance with any contractual obligations that they may have entered into, carry out prior evaluations of the ecological and social implications of their work for local communities. Anti-trafficking* Archaeologists will not engage in, or allow their names to be associated with, any form of activity relating to the illicit trade in antiquities and works of art, covered by the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property. Non-profit* Archaeologists will not engage in, or allow their names to be associated with, any activity that impacts the archaeological heritage which is carried out for commercial profit which derives directly from or exploits the archaeological heritage itself. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance xvi European Association of Archaeologists Collaboration with authorities* It is the responsibility of archaeologists to draw the attention of the competent authorities to threats to the archaeological heritage, including the plundering of sites and monuments and illicit trade in antiquities, and to use all the means at their disposal to ensure that action is taken in such cases by the competent authorities. State-of-the-art* Archaeologists have a duty to keep themselves informed of developments in knowledge and methodology relating to their field of specialisation and to techniques of fieldwork, conservation, information dissemination, and related areas. Training* Archaeologists should not undertake projects for which they are not adequately trained or prepared. Research organisation* A research design should be formulated as an essential prelude to all projects. Arrangements should also be made before starting projects for the subsequent storage and curation of finds, samples, and records in accessible public repositories (museums, archive collections, etc). Record-keeping* Proper records, prepared in a comprehensible and durable form, should be made of all archaeological projects. Reporting* Adequate reports on all projects should be prepared and made accessible to the archaeological community as a whole with the minimum delay through appropriate conventional and/or electronic publishing media, following an initial period of confidentiality not exceeding six calendar months. Accessibility of results* Archaeologists will have prior rights of publication in respect of projects for which they are responsible for a reasonable period, not exceeding ten years. During this period they will make their results as widely accessible as possible and will give sympathetic consideration to requests for information from colleagues and students, provided that these do not conflict with the primary right of publication. When the ten-year period has expired, the records should be freely available for analysis and publication by others. Source acknowledgment* Written permission must be obtained for the use of original material and acknowledgement to the source included in any publication. Anti-discrimination* In recruiting staff for projects, archaeologists shall not practise any form of discrimination based on sex, religion, age, race, disability, or sexual orientation. Employment safety* The management of all projects must respect national standards relating to conditions of employment and safety. National and regional institutions Heritage Council of Ireland Integrity We embrace the ideals of integrity, accountability and transparency in all our activities. We commit to working honestly, collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues and partners. Diversity and Inclusion Our 21st-century Irish nation is an exciting mix of ethnicities and origins. We delight in diversity, we embrace it as we seek to learn from other cultures. The reach of heritage includes all citizens, whatever their age, background, physical or emotional needs. We believe in a person-centred advocacy, in empowering communities by honouring their place in our land. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance xxiii Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland 2.5 Architects shall not promote, encourage, support or acquiesce in any act which is likely to assist in the commission of a crime or of unethical conduct. Architects shall uphold the integrity and dignity of the profession. 3.1 Architects in the practice of their profession, shall pursue their professional activities with independence, impartiality, confidentiality, integrity, honesty and fairness at all times. 3.2 Architects, in providing a professional service and in safeguarding a client's legitimate interests, shall comply with all relevant statutory procedures and regulations in the State. 3.3 Architects shall act fairly and impartially when administering a contract or otherwise acting between parties. 3.4 Architects shall have regard to the RIAI’s published client/architect agreements when proposing to a client the services to be provided. Sample copies of these agreements can be viewed on the RIAI website. Architects are not required to utilise these documents, but when proposing services to be provided they should include at a minimum the following: • The scope of the work • The fee or method of calculating fees • Description and allocation of the responsibilities of client, architect and other consultants • Any limitation of responsibilities • Payment stages and terms of payment • Provisions for termination • Any special or unusual factors • Information on dispute resolution procedures • Projected timescales for delivery of stages of the service • Architects should be aware of their professional responsibility to inform their clients, when agreeing an appointment, if the range of issues covered in RIAI Client/Architect Agreements 3.5. Architects shall not be party to any arrangement which provides for the payment of professional fees by or through a contractor except when the contractor is the client. 3.6. Architects shall not be party to any arrangement which involves the giving or receipt of an improper inducement in any form. 3.7. Architects shall not offer or give consideration for the introduction of clients. 3.8. Architects shall not abuse an office or position of trust to attract potential clients. 3.9 Architects shall not accept a commission if, by reason of office or position, they could grant or influence the granting of any form of statutory or other approval or assistance for the commission. 3.10 Architects shall not imply skills not attested to by their qualifications or experience or use such qualifications in a misleading way. 3.11 Architects shall not engage in any business which could lead to a conflict of interest or be inconsistent with the proper discharge of their professional responsibilities and the maintenance of their professional independence. 3.12 Architects practicing in any form of association with a person who is not an architect shall ensure that the agreement controlling such association incorporates a requirement that the Code of Professional Conduct is observed in all matters pertaining to the practice. 3.13 Architects shall maintain, at all times, a reasonable level of professional skill and competence, at least to the standards established by the RIAI. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance xxiv Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland 3.14 Architects should not publish or cause to be published any promotional material or advertisements which: are false or misleading in any respect; are likely to bring the architectural profession into disrepute; reflect unfavourably on other architects. For the avoidance of doubt nothing in this Code should be used to prevent normal procompetitive practice and normal commercial practice. 3.15 Architects may bring their practice to the notice of potential clients provided that the application is not in respect of a project for which they could reasonably know that an architect has already been commissioned. 3.16 Architects may allow their name or practice-name to be inserted in any classified list of architects. 3.17 Architects shall practice as sole trader, body corporate, firm or partnership only in compliance with the rules as issued by the RIAI in accordance with the Building Control Act 2007, Section 18(6). Architects shall honourably discharge their responsibilities to the client or employer. 4.1 Architects shall conduct their architectural practice and deal with clients in a professional and efficient manner. In particular architects shall keep clients regularly informed of the progress of work undertaken on their behalf. 4.2 Architects shall treat the affairs of a client or employer in strict confidence. 4.3 Architects shall not, without the agreement of the client or employer, use to their own advantage confidential information gained in the course of their association. 4.4 Architects who have a personal, business or financial interest in a matter referred to them for their advice or services shall disclose such interest to the relevant client or employer. 4.5 Architects may limit their liability provided always that it is done within the spirit and intention of the Code. 4.6 Architects shall be mindful at all times that the honourable discharge of responsibility to a client demands reasonable standards of professional practice. 4.7 Architects, before accepting an architectural commission, shall satisfy themselves that they can provide the technical, financial and administrative resources required to complete it to a reasonable professional standard. 4.8 Architects, when undertaking an architectural commission shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable, confirm in writing the scope of the professional services to be provided, the fee arrangements, the target or other cost limit for the project, work or services and, as appropriate, the essential requirements of the project and any special circumstances and conditions relevant to the commission. 4.9 Where an architect considers it necessary to engage specialist expertise on the client’s behalf the architect shall inform the client or employer before entering into any agreement with such specialist. 4.10 Architects should respond promptly and courteously to a client’s complaint in relation to the architect’s professional service. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance xxv Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland 4.11 If so requested, Architects should provide a client or employer with information on how to obtain a copy of the Code of Professional Conduct and of the complaints procedures available from the Registration Body. 4.12 Architects should not engage in architectural practice unless adequate and appropriate professional indemnity insurance cover as established by the RIAI and confirmed annually as may be required by the RIAI is in place. 4.13 Sole practitioners should have arrangements in place for the conduct of their business in the event of incapacity or other absence from work. 4.14 Architects should ensure that their professional finances are managed prudently, so as not to be to the detriment of a client. Examples of matters which may be examined to establish whether they might indicate a wilful disregard for responsibility or integrity by an architect include: an order of bankruptcy, the liquidation of a company of which they are a director other than for the purposes of reconstruction or amalgamation, an accommodation with creditors, including voluntary arrangements, failure to pay a judgement debt. 4.16 Architects should carry out their professional work without undue delay and, so far as it is within their power, within an agreed reasonable time limit. 4.17 When an architect offers, or is part of such offer, a service combining architectural services with building/construction contracting services, the architect should confirm in writing to all relevant parties that their services will not include the independent functions of an architect. 4.18 Nothing in this Code shall prevent an architect from resigning from a project or terminating an appointment provided reasonable notice is given Architects shall act honourably towards their colleagues. 5.2 If required or on being required by a client to proceed with work on which the member has reason to believe, or ascertain by reasonable enquiry, another architect is engaged, the architect shall immediately take all reasonable steps to so inform such other architect and shall record the action taken. 5.3 An architect, if approached to give an opinion on the work of another architect, shall notify that architect, unless it is prejudicial to to the interest of the client to do so. 5.4 Architects practicing in any form of professional association shall ensure that a formal partnership or corporate agreement is in place and is kept up to date. 5.5 Architects, before undertaking an architectural collaboration directly with other architects, shall ensure that a written agreement is in place defining the nature of the collaboration, the manner in which the work will be allocated and fees shared between the parties, and the attribution of design responsibility and credits. 5.6 Architects who collaborate with others in the design of a building project shall ensure that any publicity relating to it accurately and fairly reflects the contribution of their colleagues. 5.7 Criticism of a colleague's work should only be made in the context of a reasoned debate or review. ECHOES Project 101157364 – D10.1 Founding principles of the Cloud Governance xxvi Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland 5.8 Architects shall regard the design of a building or complex as the intellectual property of the architect responsible for it. Before undertaking a commission to carry out the design of another architect or to make material changes to an existing building designed by another architect, architects shall take all reasonable steps to notify that architect. 5.9 “The infringement of the intellectual property rights of another architect is unethical and a breach of the Code”. Architects shall promote the standards of this Code. 6.1 Architects should conduct their professional work in accordance with this Code and, subject to any restrictions imposed by law or the courts, report to the Registrar any serious breach of the Code which may come to their notice. 6.2 Where an architect is appointed as an arbitrator, adjudicator, mediator, conciliator or expert witness and is in receipt of privileged information, their duty in that role may take precedence over any requirement to report breaches of the Code to the Registrar. 6.3 An architect should not (except in the circumstances described at 6.2 above) enter into a contract other than a settlement of a dispute, the terms of which would prevent any party from reporting an apparent breach of the Code by another architect to the Registrar.