Enhancing Faith Institutions was invited by the SHRINEs Project  to visit the beautiful and spiritual town of Assisi in Italy from 25th – 27th November 2024. The three-day hackathon event brought together innovators, exhibitors and project leaders from other EU funded project to explore the technological solutions for the protection of places of worship.

Hackathon Tech for SHRINEs will taking place in Assisi was a significant and symbolical location: Assisi embodies the values of religious tolerance and coexistence. Its serene atmosphere fosters reflection and dialogue, making it an ideal setting for discussing strategies to safeguard religious sites worldwide.

The Tech hakathon was a ground-breaking event to foster technological innovations that enhance the security and safety of places of worship while respecting their fundamental characteristics and ethical values. The hackathon event lasted three days and integrated the unique capabilities of start-ups, research centres, universities, SMEs, and European project consortia.

12 teams of innovators had the opportunity to present innovative technological solutions to strengthen the protection of places of worship and surrounding public
spaces according to 4 case studies applied to the following real sites:

  • Indoor tourist survey space: The Basilica of Saint Francis
  • Indoor cultural heritage protection: Municipal Library
  • Outdoor urban: Town Hall Square of Assisi
  • Outdoor extra-urban: The Sanctuary of the Eremo delle Carceri

In addition to the Hackathon event, a series of side events in the form of Exhibition Areas and Workshops, focused on aspects of technology and ethics in the
context of the protection of public spaces and Critical Infrastructures were organised. EFI presented in a panel discussion with other European projects and organisations on the work we have done through the SOAR Project to protect at-risk religious sites and assessing the new vulnerabilities and threats against Places of Worship and discussing the solutions to reduce the threat level across Europe.

There were cultural visits across Assisi throughout the three day event which developed key discussions, dialogue and allowed for new and developed ideas moving forward on how to collaboratively protect places of worship and communities across Europe.

View More: //shrines-project.eu/