Safeguarding Digital Heritage in Crisis Contexts – AVICOM Sarec project

 

Safeguarding Digital Heritage in Crisis Contexts

An AVICOM-led South–South capacity-building programme supported by ICOM-SAREC

Call for Project Fellows

AVICOM and its partner ICOM National Committees in Egypt, Rwanda and Burkina Faso invite museum professionals who live and work in these countries to apply for the 2026–2027 fellowship programme.

Application deadline — 24 November 2026 at 12:00 noon CET

About the programme

Born-digital and digitised heritage, including museum records and audiovisual documentation, can be particularly vulnerable when museums face resource constraints, environmental hazards or instability. Supported by ICOM-SAREC, the programme will help museum professionals develop practical, ethical and sustainable ways to document, organise and safeguard these materials.

Through this partnership, AVICOM aims to learn from museum professionals in the Global South and support South–South exchange. Fellows will share experiences from their countries and institutions, learn from one another and develop approaches they can adapt to their own work.

What Fellows will do

  • Online learning in late 2026. Invited experts will lead sessions on digital documentation in crisis contexts, digital preservation, risk and emergency preparedness, and ethical digital practice, including accessibility and multilingualism.
  • Fellow-led discussions and peer exchange. Fellows will share national and regional experiences and continue learning from and supporting one another throughout 2027.
  • In-person workshops and exchange visits in Africa. Fellows will take part in training and exchange activities in 2027.

There is no participation fee. Fellows who complete the programme will receive a certificate. Applicants should be available for the full programme, including all online sessions in late 2026 and all in-person training and exchange activities scheduled for 2027.

Who can apply

The call is open to museum professionals who live and work in Egypt, Rwanda or Burkina Faso and are familiar with the museum sector in their country. Applicants should have an interest in digital heritage and be able to participate in online learning and peer exchange throughout the programme.

Priority will be given to ICOM members. Museum professionals who are not ICOM members are also welcome to apply, especially those who would benefit from training and support in digital heritage.

How to apply

Please submit the following:

  1. A CV.
  2. A personal statement of 1,500–2,500 words describing your current institution and role, how your work relates to digital heritage, why you want to join the programme, and how you would apply and share what you learn in your work or institution.
  3. The names, professional titles and contact details of two professional referees. Reference letters are not required.

Send your application to both your ICOM National Committee and the AVICOM Secretariat by 24 November 2026 at 12:00 noon CET.