About project

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BEFAIR is a collaborative 18 month long European project that aims to improve knowledge, practices, and cooperation related to cultural heritage and its sustainable management, especially with metal detectorists and finds made by the public. The project brings together Estonia and Finland to address shared challenges and to develop innovative, evidence-based solutions for management of metal detecting finds.

The project focuses particularly on strengthening the balance between the protection of cultural heritage and its use in contemporary society. This includes developing tools, guidelines, and best practices that support metal detectorists, heritage managers, researchers, and other stakeholders in making informed and FAIR decisions with data management.

A central objective of BEFAIR is to enhance international cooperation and knowledge exchange. By combining expertise from multiple sectors, the project promotes harmonised approaches and supports the implementation of effective policies across Europe.

The activities of the project include joint research, pilot actions, stakeholder engagement, and the production of practical outputs such as recommendations, training materials, and policy guidance. These results are designed to have long-term impact and to be applicable beyond the project partnership.

Ultimately, BEFAIR contributes to safeguarding cultural heritage while enabling its responsible use,
ensuring that it remains accessible and meaningful for future generations.