Sustaining Cultural and Natural Heritage in Albania

Abstract

This article describes the ongoing project "School for Cultural Heritage through Map Exploitation" (SCHEME), an integrated set of activities designed to support social inclusion in heritage promotion processes in Albania. The main project goal is delivering ICT tools (map and crowdfunding platforms) and procedures as well as improving the capacity of stakeholders to sustainably valorize hidden resources. The underlying approach has capitalized on existing technologies and experiences through the development of an advanced interactive multimedia map using data produced in the Ljubljana Process. Subsequently, the map will be extended by collecting more data on the Lake Ohrid Region, which has been selected as a pilot area to promote the neglected inland, relieving pressure on more famous coastal sites. A contest among schools will enrich the database, uploading multifaceted memories collected by students. The winning cultural asset will be the object of a small-scale rehabilitation project supported by a fundraising campaign through a crowdfunding platform. The centrality of people's active participation will contribute to governance innovation by reverting to traditional top-down promotion processes and practices, in which heritage consumers represent passive recipients of ready-made offers and messages. The map platform also holds specific potential for cultural tourism purposes, avoiding mistakes in the geo-localization of sites.

Crowdfunding as an Alternative Means for Funding Sustainable Appropriate Technology: Acceptance Determinants of Backers

“…For appropriate technology to be sustainable, it is necessary to utilize mid-to-high grade technology that reflects local need; simultaneously, it must be adequately backed by the provision of stable sources of funding [4,5,7]. Crowdfunding has already seen active use as an alternative means of funding for arts/cultural projects and business startups [9,23]. Crowdfunding represents a promising alternative as it not only addresses the matter of funding but also raises wider awareness about the need for appropriate technology through the interpersonal networks of the participating backers.…”

“…Reward-based crowdfunding is a specific form of crowdfunding, often used to sponsor cultural activities and public projects, through which backers or investors receive non-monetary rewards such as concert or art performance tickets or inclusion on a public list of contributors [22]. Reward-based crowdfunding has recently been touted as an alternative method of fundraising for causes that are less viable under the current system of competitive markets, such as non-profit projects, experimental technologies and ventures, and cultural/artistic projects [9,23]. In the U.S. and Europe, reward-based crowdfunding has been propagated in the form of small investments by crowds for films and music recordings [17].…”

“…Crowdfunding platforms, such as Kickstarter, currently support a variety of projects that lack funds; however, crowdfunding platforms specializing in appropriate technology, such as Kopernik, seek out the technological needs of local non-profit organizations, establish connections among them and suppliers of appropriate technology, and subsequently provide funding via crowdfunding. In a study of the School for Cultural Heritage through Map Exploitation project implemented in Albania, Dollani et al [23] found that crowdfunding was effective in sourcing necessary funds, conducting promotional activities, and encouraging active participation. In addition, in a case study of Open Source Appropriate Technology (OSAT), Zelenika and Pearce [25] found that crowdfunding through platforms such as Indiegogo and Kickstarter could be used as a standalone means of funding distinct from government assistance.…”

Optimal Quality Strategy and Matching Service on Crowdfunding Platforms

“…This paper studies reward-based crowdfunding campaigns. Arta Dollani et al [33] made the ongoing project "School for Cultural Heritage through Map Exploitation" and research it as a case study. Wang N. et al [34] illustrate the effect of the interaction between fundraisers and funders on crowdfunding success by using 959 projects from Dreamore in China.…”

Filmmaking and Crowdfunding: A Right Match?

“…Besides raising funds and the mentioned benefits, crowdfunding also has a promotional role and encourages active community participation, tapping into collective wisdom and intelligence, building a support community around an idea or a project, testing the idea or product by following the reactions of the community during its production and before its launching [11,[36][37][38]. In some cases, consumers become prosumers, thus intervening and interfering with the production process and eventually improving the quality of the final product [39][40][41][42][43][44].…”