Abstract
We are cultural stakeholders from 22 European countries. This document summarises the conclusions from a long-term process of open consultancies and debates. The inputs were gathered at ENCC conferences Culture for Shared, Smart, Innovative Territories in Oleśnica (Poland) in 2016 and Artistic Processes and Cultural Participation-New Perspectives for Rural Development in Hildesheim (Germany) in 2017; on the ENCC crowdsourced manifesto dedicated interactive online platform, and from the ENCC Working Group on Territorial Development and Culture in Non-Urban Areas (2018-20). We believe there are steps to be followed on the European, member state and local levels to foster social participation, innovation, inclusion, accessibility and cooperation. Culture is a founding and bonding pillar for our societies and should be supported and prioritized in coherent regional development strategies.