The National Research Council (CNR) is participating as an Advanced Partner in GREENHER, the new Center of Excellence dedicated to developing an innovative and sustainable approach to cultural heritage science. GreenHer is one of 12 projects selected in the competitive European “Teaming for Excellence” call. The initiative aims to integrate scientific, technological, and humanistic skills to systematically address the challenges posed by climate change and the ecological transition to the conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage.

GreenHer was established to promote interdisciplinary research, foster technology transfer, and develop advanced solutions for the sustainable protection of cultural heritage, while contributing to the training of new highly qualified professionals. The Center, established at the University of Ljubljana (UL, project coordinator), also aims to strengthen research infrastructures and collaboration between public bodies, universities, and stakeholders, both nationally and internationally.

CNR and UCL (University College London) will act as “advanced partners,” conducting mentoring, training, and support activities, as well as research, and jointly developing new partnerships and policies with Slovenian institutions.

CNR will contribute through the involvement of three institutes—the Institute of Cultural Heritage Sciences (ISPC), Institute of Atmospheric and Climate Sciences (ISAC) and the Institute for Polymers, Composites, and Biomaterials (IPBC) — with complementary expertise, ranging from heritage sciences, environmental and climate sciences, diagnostics, materials, digital technologies, and modeling.

CNR-ISAC will contribute to the development of GreenHer’s activities thanks to its international experience in assessing the impacts and risks on cultural and natural heritage induced by pollution and climate change, including extreme events. The primary objective is to advance knowledge in the analysis and quantification of impacts through the development of vulnerability indicators and damage function models, and to support the definition of mitigation, adaptation, and prevention measures and strategies.

ISAC’s participation strengthens GreenHer’s interdisciplinary approach, highlighting how climate sciences are increasingly central to heritage protection, especially in a context of growing exposure to extreme events and environmental pressures.

The project’s kick-off meeting was held at the Ljubljana City Museum.

The CNR press release for the launch of GreenHer is available at this link: https://www.cnr.it/it/news/14247/il-cnr-e-advanced-partner-di-greenher-centro-di-eccellenza-per-una-scienza-del-patrimonio-sostenibile

The official press release is available at this link: https://greenher.uni-lj.si/2026/02/23/greenher-launches-operations-and-puts-slovenia-at-the-forefront-of-european-heritage-science/