A culture and creativity driven European innovation ecosystem – a collaborative platform

To an ever greater degree, creative and cultural aspects drive innovation[[ In this context, innovation should be understood as products, processes, services, technologies, organisational or business models that are made available to markets, governments and society.]] and growth. Successful new digital and physical products and services need to be appealing and attractive, adapted to cultural traits and market needs. Similarly, societal transformations such as the green and digital transitions depend on behavioural changes, which are largely based on changes in culture and perceptions. In such processes, the human is at the centre, and the cultural and creative industries are key to success.

The goal is to facilitate the establishment of a culture and creativity driven European innovation ecosystem, with the cultural and creative industries (CCIs)[[ Idem above]] at its heart. Such a system should contribute decisively to Europe’s future prosperity, wellbeing, social and cultural cohesion as well as environmental sustainability.

The CCIs are in themselves an important source of growth and job creation in the EU economy, as well as a strong contributor to exports. Many European CCIs can be considered global leaders, such as in fashion, high-end and luxury goods, design, games or publishing, among others, while in other CCIs the EU punches below its weight. The European tangible and intangible cultural heritage and arts constitute an important source of competitiveness for the sector.

Thus, favourable conditions for the competitiveness of European CCIs exist. With the right policy actions, the European CCIs should be able to flourish. If mobilised to form the heart of an emerging culture and creativity driven innovation ecosystem, thriving European CCIs can be the foundation of a unique and lasting source of competitive advantage, prosperity, wellbeing and sustainability for Europe.

The basis of such an ecosystem is strong networks, with a focus on R&I, that foment cooperation across the CCIs and between the CCIs and other economic sectors. Such a system will probably experience strong network effects, therefore interoperability and scale are important aspects at this stage.

The collaborative platform to be established should be the basis to build a strong CCI innovation ecosystem with all actors working together, also becoming active participants in EU R&I activities.

The challenge is to contribute to the development of a dynamic culture and creativity driven innovation ecosystem in Europe. Proposals should show how projects will:

• Establish a strong, inclusive and representative network of and for the CCIs with a focus on research and innovation. The network should extend across CCI sectors at EU[[ Idem above Including Associated Countries]] level, and establish connections to other important economic sectors. It should be an inclusive platform, which taps into the business potential of all CCI actors while supporting the green and digital transitions. The network should have the capacity to strengthen the innovation ecosystem, by facilitating cooperation, mutual learning and capacity building within R&I for and with the CCIs. Important aspects of the network include interoperability and scale. A collaborative platform should be used to this end.
• Contribute to the design and prioritisation of EU policy actions, particularly R&I policy actions, that will create favourable conditions for the growth of a dynamic and well-functioning CCI-driven innovation ecosystem. This should include at least the following:
  • Assess needs for future R&I actions for the CCIs, and set up a priority list per sector and company size.
  • Map the needs of the CCIs in terms of technology investment, skills, policy and regulation, etc. to allow them to contribute to the EU’s 2030 Green Deal goals as well as to the digital transition. Assess these needs at national & European levels and provide recommendations for EU level action.
  • Identify and propose key policy actions, including suitable regulatory innovation frameworks, needed to foment the creation of a culture and creativity driven European innovation ecosystem.

Proposals should also show how projects will contribute to raise awareness of the social, economic and job creation capacity of the CCIs, for example by means of demonstrations of innovations or novelties, along with other information and dissemination activities.

When developing the activities, projects should, where possible, link to, build on and further develop existing knowledge, activities, networks and structures, notably the ones funded by the European Union or developed by the CCIs. Such activities, networks and structures may include initiatives funded by Creative Europe, Digital Europe or platforms such as “Creatives Unite”.

Furthermore, proposals should show how projects will establish links to and seek synergies with closely related actions, such as relevant R&I actions funded by Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020. In particular, projects should establish links with the upcoming Knowledge and Innovation Community on cultural and creative sectors and industries[[ See https://eit.europa.eu/our-activities/call-for-eit-communities/2021]].

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe[[ The decision is published on the Funding and Tenders Portal.]].