The action focuses on the transformation of around 40 state cultural places in regional/provincial capital cities and medium-sized cities, giving them a more active role in urban life. The objective is to transform them into true civic places, more interconnected with citizens and capable of promoting integration and social inclusion policies, in collaboration with local communities and through public-private partnerships. Particular attention will be given to combating marginalization and social exclusion, focusing on fragile subjects. These places of culture will host new services and activities aimed at inclusion and social innovation. For example, cultural welfare initiatives will be promoted, enhancing the role of culture in improving well-being and preventing diseases. Particular attention will be given to cultural and artistic education for nursery and primary schools, encouraging interaction with educational institutions and broadening access to culture.

The action is aimed at improving the cultural participation of local communities to reduce inequalities and equitably distribute cultural wealth. Through regional cultural workshops, approximately 30-35 projects will be supported in urban areas and marginal centres, focusing on three main categories: urban regeneration, cultural participation and artistic production, local valorisation of cultural assets. The funding, on average 2-2.4 million euros each, will cover adaptations of cultural places, acquisitions, cultural initiatives and cultural heritage education. Synergies will be sought with other programs and funds, including the NP Inclusion, the ESF+ and the NP Metro Plus, considering private funding to ensure the self-sustainability of the cultural sites involved.

The action aims to actively support all those involved in the implementation of innovative projects in the cultural sector, with the general objective of innovating public policies in terms of governance and operational methods. The actions involve strong involvement of local communities and the use of public-private collaborations. In particular, preliminary involvement activities will be carried out to identify subjects in local communities who can actively contribute to the definition of effective and sustainable projects. At the same time, cultural institutions and other public bodies will be accompanied in the activation of forms of partnership with the private sector, during the co-planning and management phases of cultural activities and services. This includes the creation of “special” public-private partnerships to fully valorise underused, unusable or abandoned cultural assets, as well as other public properties intended for cultural and social innovation purposes.