New perspectives on cultural well-being

the role of the third sector in cultural heritage

Abstract

This essay is based on research carried out in 2021-2022 by the Foundation School of Cultural Assets and Activities of the Italian Ministry of Culture. The data obtained provides an interesting overview of an emerging reality in the Italian third sector, “heritage communities” – formal or informal groups capable of enhancing and preserving the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Italy. This article defines these heritage communities as pathways towards cultural well-being. It proposes to identify in heritage communities innovative mechanisms in terms of practices and policies of cultural well-being, a new form of well-being inspired by the World Health Organization’s recognition in 2019 of the fundamental relationship between care and culture.