The overarching objective was to strengthen small-town communities by recognising and valorising their cultural heritage as a resource for identity, education, and sustainable development. More concretely, we aimed to safeguard intangible heritage by collecting local stories, traditions, and legends and transforming them into engaging cultural experiences accessible to both residents and visitors. At the same time, the project had a strong educational component: by training 16 local guides, we created opportunities for skills development in areas such as storytelling, theatre methods, intercultural communication, and the use of digital mapping tools. These guides became ambassadors of their towns, capable of leading cultural routes and inspiring others to value local heritage. A further objective was to foster civic participation and social cohesion. By inviting residents of all ages and backgrounds, from young people to the elderly, from migrants to long-standing locals, to co-create routes, the project gave communities a platform for dialogue and exchange. Finally, the project ensured sustainability by developing an online course and platform, allowing the methods and results to be replicated in other towns interationally.
The project was conceived as a response to the pressing challenges faced by small towns and rural areas in Latvia, Italy, Germany, and Poland. These regions are experiencing demographic decline due to urbanisation, ageing populations, and the migration of younger generations to larger cities in search of employment. As a result, many traditions, practices, and forms of intangible heritage are at risk of being forgotten. At the same time, opportunities for adult learning and intergenerational exchange are often scarce, leaving many residents without access to cultural participation. We applied with the conviction that cultural heritage can be a powerful driver of social cohesion, education, and local development. Our idea was to involve local communities directly in the documentation, preservation, and creative re-imagination of their stories, legends, and traditions. By co-creating innovative creative routes, enriched with storytelling, theatre, and digital tools, we aimed not only to preserve cultural identity but also to open new paths for tourism, employment, and civic participation. The project addressed both the urgent need to safeguard intangible heritage and the long-term challenge of revitalising rural areas across Europe