Culture as a Driver of Health, Wellbeing and Social Cohesion in Territories and Communities

At a time of growing social and demographic challenges and widening inequalities across Europe, culture has an essential—yet still insufficiently recognised—role to play in fostering social cohesion and enhancing the wellbeing of communities. Organised by the Network RICC (Regional Initiative for Culture and Creativity), this event aims to promote dialogue on the transformative potential of cultural welfare as a driver of social cohesion and territorial wellbeing. It will explore how governments, working in partnership with the cultural and creative sectors and Academia, can find new approaches and solutions to strengthen community empowerment, improve quality of life, advance social inclusion, and reinforce social cohesion. The session will showcase inspiring practices developed by European regions and local stakeholders in the field of cultural welfare, while presenting policy approaches and instruments that support meaningful, culture-driven change for the benefit of citizens and territories across the European Union. Furthermore, the contribution of DG EAC will enrich the event by providing an EU-level perspective on cultural welfare, highlighting its dimensions, impacts, and relevance within the Agora EU Programme.