RURITAGE
Rural regeneration through systemic heritage-led strategies
European rural areas embody outstanding examples of Cultural and Natural Heritage (CNH) that need not only to be safeguarded, but also promoted as a driver for competitiveness, sustainable and inclusive growth and development. RURITAGE established a new heritage-led rural regeneration paradigm able to turn rural areas into sustainable development demonstration laboratories, through the enhancement of their unique CNH potential. RURITAGE identified 6 Systemic Innovation Areas (pilgrimages; sustainable local food production; migration; art and festivals; resilience; and integrated landscape management) which, integrated with cross-cutting themes, showcased heritage potential as a powerful engine for economic, social and environmental development of rural areas.
The knowledge built in 14 Role Models (RMs) and digested within the project was transferred to 6 Replicators (Rs) across Europe. Through a multilevel and multidirectional process of knowledge transfer, RMs have mentored and supported the Replicators in the development and implementation of their strategies and, at the same time, have increased their knowledge and capacities. A robust monitoring system assisted this process.
Local Rural Heritage Hubs, gathering stakeholders and civil society, were settled in Rs to work as living labs where heritage-led rural regeneration strategies were co-created and implemented, while in RMs they reinforced the ownership of CNH.
Both RMs and Rs have benefitted from the RURITAGE Resources Ecosystem, a set of tools including, among others, a rural landscape mapping tool (RURITAGE Atlas) and a Replication Toolbox within an online and interoperable platform. These tools have fostered knowledge building, providing evidence and supporting replication and up-scaling activities of the implemented heritage-led regeneration strategies and plans, contributing to mainstreaming heritage in Regional, National, European and global policies.
Funding programme
Horizon 2020
Project timeframe
2018 - 2022
UNIBO Role
Coordinator
Website