European cultural heritage is a rich resource for sustainable development and contributes to improving European relations with other parts of the world. The EU-funded ILUCIDARE project classified and identified “heritage-driven innovation” but also “assimilation of cultural heritage in innovation” and “heritage as a resource for innovation”. Studying “heritage within diplomacy”, “heritage driven diplomacy” and “shared heritage” revealed how heritage acts as an ambassadors that can enhance understanding, diplomacy and international relations. ILUCIDARE co-created tools for an international community of heritage experts and local communities. It created significant impact locally while improving and validating tools to better protect and promote cultural heritage as a resource, leveraging its value as a tool for innovation and improving relations with other parts of the world.