Preserving the past, embracing the future: the Italian National plan for the digitization of cultural heritage

This paper examines the Italian National Plan for the Digitization of Cultural Heritage (2022–2026), the country’s most comprehensive initiative for coordinating cultural heritage digitization. Developed within broader European and international digital strategies, the Plan aims to overcome the historical fragmentation of digitization efforts by establishing a unified framework focused on accessibility, interoperability, and long-term preservation. The study adopts a qualitative approach based on the analysis of official Plan documents, its accompanying Guidelines, and relevant European policy sources. It investigates the Plan’s strategic structure and implementation mechanisms, highlighting the interaction among its three core pillars: technology, processes, and people. The findings show that the Plan redefines digitization as a systemic and participatory process rather than a set of isolated technical actions. It enhances access to cultural heritage through inclusive and user-centered approaches, promotes institutional digital transformation via standardized workflows, and supports the development of interoperable data ecosystems. The Guidelines ensure methodological consistency in data quality, metadata, and digital preservation practices. Funded through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), the initiative is expected to generate over sixty-five million digital objects accessible through the national I.Pa.C. platform. The paper also highlights the Plan’s role as both a technological and cultural innovation. However, its success relies on sustained investment, professional training, and adaptive governance models. Overall, the Plan emerges as a leading European model capable of bridging tradition and innovation.