Engage, Empower, Evolve: Cultural strategies for regional growth

On October 13, 2025, at the Delegation of the Emilia-Romagna Region in Brussels, the Side-event “ENGAGE, EMPOWER, EVOLVE: Cultural strategies for regional growth” took place, organized within the framework of the 23rd edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities by the RICC Network (Regional Initiative for Culture and Creativity).
The meeting brought together institutional representatives and experts from various European regions to discuss the role of culture as a driver of territorial development, inclusion, and innovation.

After the opening remarks by Lorenza Badiello, Head of the Delegation of the Emilia-Romagna Region, a roundtable discussion was held, moderated by Lodovico Folin Calabi, Director of the UNESCO Office in Brussels, featuring the following contributions:

- Gabriele Marzano (Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy) and Eleonora Sette (ART-ER), who joined online to address the topic of attracting and enhancing creative talents for regional growth. They presented Emilia-Romagna as one of the most active European regions addressing demographic transformation challenges, such as population aging and declining birth rates. Emilia-Romagna adopted Regional Law No. 2/2023 on attracting, retaining, and enhancing talent—the first of its kind in Italy and Europe—creating an integrated framework for mobility and skills development. The region has built a territorial ecosystem with local initiatives, university partnerships, and the it-ER International Talents Emilia-Romagna program to support international talent integration. Cultural and creative industries, also through CLUST-ER Create, play a key role in this strategy, reinforcing Emilia-Romagna’s global reputation in design, precision mechanics, and creative manufacturing.

- Iris Jugo Núñez-Hoyo (Extremadura, Spain), with insights on the “culture of care” and opportunities in rural areas. She outlined the context of Extremadura, one of Europe’s most rural regions, where culture plays a strategic role in fostering cohesion and identity. The bid of Cáceres for European Capital of Culture 2031 is seen as a territorial regeneration project and a social innovation lab, placing the periphery at the heart of Europe’s cultural and democratic construction. Extremadura has invested in “cultural care infrastructures,” creating a network of cultural centers and inter-municipal alliances, while promoting fiscal measures to support rural communities. Through initiatives like Transcultura and Cáceres 2031, the region positions culture as a driver of equality, sustainability, and inclusive development, strengthening community ties and generating economic impact.

- Alexandru Bogdan Calance (Iași County Council, Romania), who presented the “Culture in Action” project aimed at promoting literary and living heritage. He highlighted that, in Iasi, culture is fully integrated into regional development policies through literature, performing arts, and living heritage. Flagship initiatives include FILIT – one of Eastern Europe’s leading literary festivals – alongside Sotron and FITPTI, which promote creative education and youth engagement. Complemented by projects like Cozba and traditional fairs, Iași fosters innovation through tradition, strengthening community ties and positioning culture as a catalyst for economic growth and civic participation.

- Jokin Garatea (Basque Country), with a case study on the BDCC cultural and creative district. He presented the Basque Country’s ecosystem, one of Europe’s most advanced in integrating creativity, innovation, and regional development. Guided by the PCTI 2030 – RIS3 Euskadi strategy, cultural and creative industries (CCIs) are recognized as high-value sectors driving economic growth, skilled employment, and social cohesion. At the core is the Basque District of Culture and Creativity (BDCC), an innovative governance and business support model offering resources, training, and international positioning to strengthen competitiveness and sustainability. Through collaborative networks, tools like the Creative Tools Guide, and programs for innovation and internationalization, BDCC positions the Basque Country as a leading hub for creative industries aligned with Europe’s green and digital transition.

The event highlighted how cultural policies can generate positive impacts in terms of social cohesion, economic development, and territorial attractiveness, particularly in peripheral and rural areas.

A Q&A session concluded the meeting, providing space for dialogue among participants and reinforcing the role of regions as key players in Europe’s cultural transformation.