The Direzione Generale per i Beni Archeologici is part of the Italian Ministry of Culture. The main activities of the DBGA concern the protection of archaeological sites and monuments, and the management of museum structures across the national territory; be they directly dependent on the regional Soprintendenza, on the Museo Nazionale Preistorico Etnografico "Luigi Pigorini" and on the Museo Nazionale d'Arte Orientale. It thus contributes to the cultural policies of promotion and valorisation of this immense "museo diffuso" that is Italy.
Among its aims, the DGBA promotes awareness of the archaeological heritage in Italy and abroad. Through its publishing activity, such as the Bulletin of Archaeology and Numismatics the DGBA contributes to the dissemination of information. The DGBA coordinates the initiatives of the Soprintendenze of Rome and of Pompei, and more generally
oversees the budgetary attributions and verifies the attainment of the objectives determined by the Ministery. Another responsibility of the DGBA is the authorisation of loans of archaeological objects for exhibition purposes in Italy and abroad, evaluations in matters of purchases, and advice on archaeological research to universities and other related bodies. In this respect, the DGBA oversees the Italian Archaeological School of Athens - for more than a century the point of reference for all University, C.N.R or Soprintendenze archaeologists in their research activities in Greece

In the framework of the ACE project, the DGBA will dedicate specific resources in the following areas:

- Within theme I 'The significance of the past', the DGBA will participate in the definition and implementation of these strands of activities, "designed to highlight the relevance of the past for contemporary Europe, in both scientific and cultural terms. (...) Particular attention will be dedicated towards topical issues of social and identity construction, and phenomena such as migration, settlement, ethnicity, acculturation, land use and landscape, as well as formation of cultural and political identities in the past". The partner will contribute to the quality, pertinence and timely delivery of the results obtained.

- Within theme II 'Comparative practices in archaeology', the DGBA will contribute to the objectives of appraising and producing on ongoing archaeological activities a "'state of the art' surveys which would make it possible to share skills and know how within the network and beyond, and which would also serve as the basis for various recommendations and guides of practice and management of archaeological operations". The Partner will notably focus on sub-theme II.B, Legal, administrative and financial frameworks.

- Within theme IV 'Public outreach: invitations to archaeology', the DGBA will participate in the conception and implementation of the travelling exhibition, and contribute to the dissemination of information on archaeology and its contemporary challenges to a wider public. More specifically, the Partner will take a leading role in the conception and implementation of the 'model sites', where issues surrounding professional practices and various means and methods of communication to various publics will be presented.

The DGBA will organise and host an ACE plenary meeting, scheduled for April or May 2009, Rome