ECLECTIC-CE partners (episode 1): Veneto: The Beating Heart of Culture and Creative Innovation

Date: 12.03.2026
The Veneto Region is now recognised as one of Italy’s regions of excellence, capable of combining solid economic and industrial development with a cultural heritage of inestimable value in a perfectly balanced way. It is not just a question of conservation, but of a vibrant creative ecosystem that sees the active participation of over 23,000 cultural and creative enterprises (CCIs), mainly micro and small. This productive fabric is further enriched by the presence of 3,000 non-profit organizations and more than 1,000 cultural institutions, including libraries, museums, and archives, which together guarantee employment for approximately 145,000 professionals in the sector.

 

This economic dynamism operates within a landscape and historical setting of global prestige. The Veneto region is home to 9 sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as 2 UNESCO intangible heritage  as well as hundreds of historical sites that give the region its distinctive atmosphere and unique cultural identity.

 

The regional government plays a proactive role in this scenario, recognizing and promoting CCIs as true pillars of local development. Through the commitment of the Culture Department, the Region is constantly dedicated to the restoration, conservation, and enhancement of tangible and intangible assets. This strategic vision has been consolidated in recent decades through targeted policies that identify cultural industries as the main drivers of socio-economic progress. A key step in this process is Regional Law 17/2019, which not only formalizes the strategic importance of the sector but also emphasizes the urgency of supporting it through international and European cooperation channels.

 

Looking ahead, investments reflect this political ambition. For the 2021-2027 programming period, over €12 million (ERDF) has been allocated to promote the growth of creative businesses and the creation of new startups. Culture&Creativity has also been integrated into the Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) as a key driver of technological innovation. At the same time, the Veneto Digital Agenda has included CCIs among the priority objectives for digital investment in the coming years.

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