The Horizon 2020-funded project, RURITAGE, recently published policy recommendations for the Integration of Cultural and Natural Heritage (CNH) within Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation. This report aims to link CNH with smart specialisation, innovation, experimentation, entrepreneurship, business development and sustainable development in regional economies. It pays particular attention to rural regions and looks towards an integrated territorial approach.
RURITAGE proposes 50 policy recommendations, on various aspects such as general approach;Improving governance;regions at the start of developing their RIS3/4;regions already implementing their RIS3; and synergies with existing initiatives, programmes and funding sources.
The project recommends some necessary actions for initiating and managing the challenging process of (re)framing CNH as a crucial part of RIS3/4. The RIS3/4 processes are dynamic and complex and in order for them to be successful, they require trust, cooperation and continuity. RIS3/4 is not only about research and innovation, it is an (integrated, place-based) economic transformation agenda.
RURITAGE project aims to demonstrate that CNH in rural areas can act as a driver for sustainable development. It has established a heritage-led paradigm based on six Systemic Innovation Areas: Pilgrimage, Local Food, Migration, Art & Festival, Resilience and Landscape.