AIM To determine and demonstrate how best the natural heritage(1) can be utilised as a catalyst for economic growth to benefit communities in densely-populated post-industrial areas in NWE. The participating regions are defined as densely-populated post-industrial areas which have suffered from a massive decline in heavy industry. especially coal mining and related industries. These areas are now experiencing economic and social deprivation with high levels of economic inactivity. The previously industrial communities in this proposal share a common feature in that they abut extensive areas of natural heritage. coupled with increasing areas of reclaimed former industrial land. By addressing this aim we will generate improved economic benefits for our communities and so engender greater prosperity pride and confidence in our regions The actual economic crisis effects the NWE. so its the projects aim to maximise the underestimated economic potential of the natural heritage. The partnership will demonstrate in an innovative way how to activate this potential. with a long lasting impact and a leverage effect for new investments. (1)The natural heritage can be defined as a collection of non-urban open spaces of at least 10 km² with an exceptional (inter)national value for biodiversity and/or the landscape. In NWE. the natural heritage is adjacent to and linked with densely populated urban areas and consequently has a significant influence on the quality of life and prosperity of local communities. This proposal is NOT about the improved management of this natural heritage. but instead about concrete actions to increase the engagement with the natural heritage of the corporate sector. visitors and communities in order to utilise it responsibly and sustainably to stimulate and maximise economic benefits. Achievements: The project conducted a study to get an overview of all existing nature appraisal systems. The aim was also to produce a generic calculation tool: the input of a set of data would lead to the value of nature. This ultimate tool turned out to be unfeasible, undesirable and also not always necessary. The partners experimented within several pilots: in Belgium, the book Hoge Kempen, hoge baten was published describing the economical value of the Hoge Kempen National Park. In France and Wales, partners used a comparison method based on the Green Infrastructure Toolkit by Ann Jaluzot. The results of these pilots can be found in: Wet grassland Participatory Evaluation – transferable tools and learning (FR) Evaluation of the ecosystem services of the bocage landscape of Avesnois (FR) Native Tree Nursery (UK) SUDS (UK)As for involving the private sector and achieving a fair transfer from the benefit to the cost conditions, several schemes have been tried out with varying degrees of success: The foundation National Park Fund was created; Several adoption schemes were implemented; Sponsorship actions were tested; All results will be gathered on an interactive CD-rom (coming up).In order to engage visitors of the regions to contribute to the natural heritage, a SWOT-analysis of all existing visitor payback schemes was conducted by Boondoggle. This communication agency then defined a new series of potential VP-systems, focusing on digital technologies. A short list of ideas is published in the e-book Digital Visitor Payback Concepts. The Disconnect App, the Carepark en the E-bikes were piloted to learn about the key-factors for succes.The project worked closely with local inhabitants, as they are the first representatives of regions. By creating a hospitable environment for visitors, they can convey the background to nature management in a suitable way for target groups that are sometimes difficult to involve: young people or those from a wide range of social or cultural backgrounds.In the regions covered by the WECAN partnerships this challenge is taken up in very different ways. Where RLKM (BE) is fully committed to volunteer 'Rangers', the PNRSE (FR) has professional 'Eco-guards' for getting the nature message across to school children. In VRP (UK) local community workers are involved in encouraging a number of local groups of volunteers to adopt an own-initiative approach to nature and landscape concerns. Irrespective of how big the differences are, the challenge is always the same: getting the local inhabitants to become more involved in natural heritage, preservation and management.A wide range of initiatives, from events and school programs to poster campaigns were launched and assessed in the light of their ability to change people's perception of the regions. These initiatives have been assessed on their effectiveness and the results of these comparison will be published in the magazine presenting the whole project (coming up).