There will opportunities to create public/private partnerships to draw in new funding, which in turn can benefit the wider community. Our government has signed a convention to protect all World Heritage Sites, and has pledged to provide adequate resources for their protection. At a time when funding for rural England is under significant pressure, the government (and its agencies) would consequently find it harder to ignore funding appeals from an area which has World Heritage status. The cultural strategy produced by the North West Regional Development Agency and the North West Cultural Forum has highlighted support for an increase in the number of World Heritage Sites in the region as part of image and tourism promotion and their role in public and community life. You can read more on the Benefit for All pages.