Cultural and Creative Industries and Regional Development: Lessons from the Azores

This article opens with a literature review on the role of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) in promoting social, cultural, and economic development in non-urban and peripheral regions. It outlines the historical evolution of the CCI concept, from early frameworks centred on cultural goods to contemporary views integrating creativity, innovation, and public policy. The review highlights the contributions of CCIs to social cohesion, place-based identity, and sustainable development, drawing on international and European frameworks. Given the limited academic discourse on CCIs in Portugal’s outermost regions, the article focuses its analysis on the Azores archipelago, examining the intersection of cultural policies, creative initiatives, and regional disparities. The article is rooted in the following research questions: How do Cultural and Creative Industries contribute to regional development in non-urban territories; what structural challenges condition their peripheral territories; and what structural challenges affect their long-term sustainability in these contexts? Grounded in these questions, it aims to identify critical issues such as uneven support distribution, geographic disparities, and inadequate long-term investment, as well as the need for tailored place-based cultural strategies and policies to meet the specific needs of peripheral regions.