Fostering economic and financial resilience through an ecosystem approach: Opportunities and peculiarities of cultural heritage

The aim of this paper is to investigate economic and financial resilience of cul tural heritage with reference to a cultural ecosystem approach. By means of a theoretical investigation and a case study analysis the author addresses the need to increase the financing diversification of cultural heritage organizations not only to ensure financial sustainability but also cultural heritage’s ability to deal with calamitous events and damages. The empirical investigation analyses two French case studies of cultural heritage damaged by fire those fund ing campaign could be interpreted according to an ecosystem approach to financing: the case of the fundraising campaign for the reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after the 2019 fire and the 2017 equity crowdfunding campaign for the purchase and restoration of the Castle of La Mothe Chandeniers in Le Trois Moutiers. The research results indicate that eco system financing for cultural heritage should be based on strong emotional components and the leading role of recognized associations or authorities that legitimate and ensure the accountability of the initiatives