Editorial. European year of Cultural-Heritage. A laboratory for heritage-based innovation

Redesigning the public space of cultural heritage in Europe is perceived today as a necessity. The article outlines the process that led in the space of few years to a renewed policy framework on cultural heritage in Europe, based on the principles of a holistic, integrated and participatory approach to its care and governance. The European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 offered the opportunity to translate those principles into action, with impressive results in terms of public participation and deliverables. Following the launch by the European Commission of the European Framework for Action, whose aim is to secure a long-term policy impact of the European Year beyond 2018, this special issue of SCIRES-IT Journal looks back into the European Year and investigates to what extent this initiative has contributed to making space to innovation, in the cultural heritage sector and beyond.