The Grid for MoW

The International Register & Information for Documentary Heritage

The Grid is the official digital platform of the International Centre for Documentary Heritage (ICDH), designed to suppor t global access to and engagement with UNESCO’s Memory of the World (MoW) inscriptions. As the world’s first Category 2 Centre dedicated to documentary heritage under the auspices of UNESCO, ICDH has developed the Grid to unify scattered knowledge, enable dynamic interaction with memory institutions and scholars, and ensure long-term visibility and preservation of documentary heritage from around the world.

Digital Platform For
Shared Memories

Our Vision

To become the global hub for knowledge, access, and collaboration around Memory of the World documentary heritage. We believe that documentary heritage is not only a record of the past, but a bridge to future understanding. By opening broad access, enabling participation, and enriching knowledge, the Grid helps connect people, institutions, and ideas

What the Grid Offers

Unified Access
- A centralized repository of over 570 Memory of the World inscriptions(Biennial increase), enriched with metadata, images, translations, Knowledges and wide information in line with historical context.
Linked Knowledge Ecosystem
- Connects documentary heritage with related people, languages, events, and places, forming a semantic web of shared memory.
AI-Enhanced Exploration
- Smart search, multilingual interface, content summarization, and research support powered by AI.
Open Archive Participation
- Institutions and individuals can build their own memory archives within the platform and share local knowledge globally.
Academic & Public Resources
- Access to scholarly materials, digitized records, and curated exhibitions designed for both researchers and general users.
API & Interoperability
- Easy integration with external systems (Excel, JSON, XML) to promote transparency, data reuse, and international collaboration.

Who Is It For?

Anyone interested in documentary heritage and shared memory
Researchers, students, and educators
Memory of the World nomination teams and heritage institutions
Policymakers, civil society, and the general public

Shaping the Future of Memory

The Grid is more than a database. It is a living platform that grows with contributions, fosters dialogue across cultures, and promotes sustainable digital preservation of our world’s documentary legacy.

MoW Trends in UNESCO

World Heritage Review N°106