Promoting participation in the arts, cultural and creative activities has a profound effect on deprived neighbourhoods and their communities. Embedding arts and cultural projects into community plans and Local Area Agreements can unlock new funding routes and help local authorities achieve statutory outcomes and shape places. Creative Communities is the national conference for strategic decision makers working in regeneration, neighbourhood renewal, housing, culture and leisure. Leading speakers explored the latest opportunities to meet Government targets through community-led creative programmes which successfully address issues of deprivation, diversity, cohesion, employability, health and well-being. The 2008 event also celebrated the success of the Creative Communities programme led by Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008.