Gamification As A Catalyst For Community-Based Heritage Work In Low-Density Territories: Selected Best Practices From Europe

This paper examines the transformative role of gamification in engaging small communities with cultural heritage. By in-tegrating serious games and interactive strategies, gamification enhances public participation, fostering cultural citizen-ship and sustainable development in low-density regions. These approaches not only make cultural objects more acces-sible but also encourage deeper reflection on their significance within contemporary society. Focusing on best practices, gamification emphasizes innovative, community-centered solutions that bridge academic research and public interaction. By fostering partnerships between small communities and academics, it provides a framework for identifying, safe-guarding, and disseminating heritage. Highlighting successful examples, these practices demonstrate how gamification can facilitate participatory and democratic engagement, offering scalable models for broader application. This foundation supports the development of international principles for digital heritage and collaborative cultural networks.