Gli ecomusei in Sicilia: approcci partecipativi e possibili paradigmi di risposta alle povertà educative | Ecomuseums in Sicily: participatory approaches and possible paradigms of response to educational poverty

Ecomuseums represent a breakthrough in the educational approach to cultural and environmental heritage. Unlike traditional museums, they focus on the active participation of local communities, transforming the territory itself into a widespread museum. This article analyzes the conceptual evolution of ecomuseums, focusing on their integrative function between natural, cultural and social elements. It explores how ecomuseums, through active education, foster the empowerment of communities, promoting critical awareness and responsibility. Through a case study, the Ecomuseum of Heaven and Earth of Acireale, it is demonstrated how ecomuseums are effective tools in combating educational poverty, offering opportunities for experiential and inclusive learning. In Sicily, where socio-economic inequalities persist, ecomuseums emerge as educational metaprojects, promoting intergenerational interaction and involving communities in a process of conservation and enhancement of cultural and natural heritage. The creation of a network of ecomuseums in Sicily amplifies these benefits, encouraging collaboration and cultural promotion at regional and international level. The crucial role of territorial pacts in promoting  shared and inclusive governance, contributing to a more participatory management of local resources, is highlighted. Sicilian ecomuseums stand as valuable resources in promoting education, heritage conservation and the development of local communities.