The initiative on information and communication technologies for cultural heritage.

MEDICI (Multimedia for EDucation and employment through Integrated Cultural Initiatives) is a framework of co-operation established and supervised by DG XIII of the European Commission, in co-operation with DG X. The goal of MEDICI is to promote the innovative use of ICT and multimedia for access to and exploitation of Europe_s cultural heritage. In order to achieve its goal, MEDICI promotes a partnership between Museums, Cultural Institutions, Universities and Industry and implements a mechanism, based on the sharing of experiences and co-operation among its participants, which will provide information and specific services in order to facilitate the take-up of advanced ICT services and applications in the cultural heritage sector. Museums and cultural institutions, companies, governmental institutions and public and private organisations will co-operate within MEDICI in several ways (working groups, joint projects, other arrangements) in order to achieve the common goal of a better access to and fruitful exploitation of Europe_s cultural heritage. MEDICI will mainly act as a general reference point for members. It will implement a multi-layered network of partners. Within the general framework several different sub-networks of co-operation will spin off, managing different specific activities. While MEDICI is not a European Commission programme with direct funding of projects, indirect support is expected from EU relevant programs and actions, in particular the Fifth Framework Programme of Community activities in the field of research, technological development and demonstration. Support is expected also, in various forms, from companies and institutions interested in MEDICI_s mission.