A guide to European initiatives and resources in E-Content

Abstract

E-Content is and will remain a thriving force in European economy and society. However, in a dynamic field like this it is of crucial importance to keep oneself up-to-date about the developments taking place. Thankfully, there are quite a number of resources available that provide information on all kinds of E-Content topics, no matter whether one's interests are general or rather more specific. These can be broadly divided into: 1) information services, 2) European research projects, 3) associations and initiatives, and 4) national centres of competence in European countries. Some resources can be further subdivided into those with a general and those with a topic-specific focus on E-Content. Information services are often set up similar to online newspapers or web portals, publishing news from the E-Content sector regularly or listing references to further resources in the field. They are provided by political institutions such as the European Commission, by commercial as well as non-profit organisations. A special kind of information resource, often with a research or development focus, can be seen in international projects with a European scope. Usually, partners from several European countries cooperate in those measures to gain more insight into diverse E-Content fields. As the European Commission gives funding to a lot of those projects, the results are made accessible to the public. Another kind of resource are associations and initiatives dedicated to EContent. Their aim is to promote specific aspects of E-Content or the field as a whole through e.g. networking, training and events, research, projects and services. Being institutions with seasoned persons working together, they can be addressed when in need of relevant expertise. The same is true for the national centres of competence in E-Content that are portrayed in the last section of this guide. They have experience in E-Content matters gained through national and international projects such as ACTeN, and can thus serve as a first point of contact for business and research purposes. © Springer Berlin - Heidelberg 2005.