4 Foreword by European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel 6 Introduction 8 What is Cultural Heritage in Action? 10 Key figures 12 Topics 14 Map of inspiring examples from European cities and regions 16 Challenge 1: Inequality and social exclusion 18 Cultural heritage as a human-centred accelerator for cities and regions 19 Cultural heritage: an opportunity to include and solve wicked social issues 20 Exploring solutions in European cities and regions 21 Cultural heritage: an opportunity to create, grow and nurture sustainable local cultural ecosystems 34 Exploring solutions in European cities and regions 35 Recommendations to local and regional policymakers 48 Challenge 2: Planning for rising urbanization 50 Cultural heritage: an opportunity to activate (new) public spaces 51 Exploring solutions in European cities and regions 51 Recommendations to local and regional policy makers 68 NURTURE ACTIVATE