The implementation of the "B-SHAPES"/Borders shaping perceptions of European societies project under the European Union program for scientific research and innovation "Horizon 2020" has started, with the leading organization University of Southern Denmark - Denmark. The National History Museum is one of the partners of the project, in the implementation of which prominent European university and research institutions and organizations participate: Eötvös Loránd University – Hungary; Eurac Research Center - Italy; Halmstad University – Sweden; Technical University of Liberec – Czech Republic; University of Strasbourg – France; University of Oulu – Finland; University of Wrocław – Poland; Kreatus Research Center – Poland; European Network "Memory and Solidarity" - Poland; Association of European Border Regions - Germany and Lungomare - Bolzano, Italy. The duration of the project is 36 months with an implementation period from 01.04 to 2023.

The project aims to focus the attention of the European community on the role of geographical borders in shaping the perceptions of modern European societies. Borders play a key role in shaping our perceptions of societies, culture, identity, belonging and heritage, of 'us' and 'them' perceptions. The global pandemic of 2020 has led to the closure of state borders in an attempt to stop the spread of the deadly virus. This unprecedented border measure complicated inclusive European perceptions of heritage and culture.

The B-SHAPES project, funded under the EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, is expected to apply different approaches, fieldwork and ethnographic methods in data collection and processing in different European border regions, focusing on youth and minorities groups. A specific goal of the project is the development of strategies and innovative policies using integrated approaches for the development of a single European natural, cultural and historical heritage.

The results of B-SHAPES will provide an opportunity to rethink heritage policies. As a result of the project, European cross-border approaches to cultural and historical heritage will be created and implemented to engage and attract individuals and economic sectors in the creation of a unified vision of cultures and values.

The National History Museum is one of the largest museums on the Balkan Peninsula and the only museum institution partnering in the project. The museum has extensive experience in collecting, preserving, restoring and popularizing artefacts found on the territory of Bulgaria, part of the European cultural and historical heritage. NIM will take part in key activities of the project, ensuring high quality of field studies, feasibility and wide promotion of the project.

The B-SHAPES project brings together a significant number of European academic institutions, scientists and specialists, representatives of archaeology, arts and cultural heritage, ethnology, European studies, history, physical and cultural geography, minority studies, political science, social anthropology and sociology. The geographical scope of the research extends from north to south - from Finland to Bulgaria and from England and Italy.