The contribution of culture to the creation of inclusive and sustainable economies

Introduction: Cultural and natural heritage is an irreplaceable repository of knowledge and a fundamental resource for sustainable development. Objective: To examine whether the cultural and natural heritage of the Alto Douro Wine Region can promote the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the 2030 Agenda, by analyzing the ‘Prosperity and Livelihoods' dimension proposed by the Culture | 2030 Indicators, with particular emphasis on the ‘Cultural Governance’. Methods: It followed a qualitative methodological approach. To collect primary data, interviews were conducted with leaders of local public and private organizations with responsibilities in the field of cultural management, which were then analyzed using MAXQDA24 Analytics Pro software (24.6.0). Results: The results show that there is awareness among local actors of the need to integrate culture into initiatives and policies that can drive the realization of the SDGs and promote the creation of a more culturally just and equitable territory, aligned with the principles of economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Conclusion: The study highlights local actors' perception of the need to implement effective public policies and initiatives that promote the valorization of culture as a strategic sector for sustainable growth, social inclusion, and the preservation of cultural heritage, consolidating culture as an essential element for the holistic development of the territory. However, weaknesses were found that need to be minimized through strategic policies.