In the period July 2023-Dec. 2024, the IN SITU project fully activated its research streams and other activities.
IN SITU identified possibilities for consolidation and the emergence of new domains in CCIs in non-urban regions of Europe based upon related and unrelated diversification [D1.2] and assessed the socioeconomic resilience of non-urban CCIs during the COVID-19 pandemic [D1.3]. In each Lab, IN SITU examined the innovation potential of CCIs, noting how regional characteristics influence the ability of the creative sector to innovate [D2.3] and identified subsectors with the highest potential for innovation [D2.4].
IN SITU assessed the state of (a) cultural policies, strategies and planning for CCIs in non-urban areas of Europe [D5.1] and (b) innovation policies and S3 (smart specialization policies) relevant for CCIs in nonurban areas of Europe [D5.2].
Qualitative research on the gender dimension of CCIs in non-urban areas [D5.5] was complemented by a quantitiative analysis of gender of cultural and creative occupations in the Lab areas (WP1 Suppl. Analysis) and ongoing gender monitoring of all project activities.
In the six Lab areas, 12 case studies (2 per Lab) were selected and activated [D3.2]. Guidelines for monitoring development and a self-monitoring tool enabled case studies to track key milestones, challenges and learning outcomes [D3.3]. A mentoring programme for the case studies was launched (WP4), a joint meeting was organised (Sept. 2024), and interim reports were developed (WP3).
Informed by research findings and practitioners’ needs, IN SITU created a capacity-building and skill development programme, a series of on-site workshops in each Lab to foster new entrepreneurial social and business models and innovation for CCIs (WP4).
The Consortium continued to identify research synergies and opportunities for collaboration, and carefully coordinated inquiries with special attention to inquiry ‘overload’ in the field.
Two in-presence working meetings were held in Lab areas: Galway, Ireland (Feb. 2024) and Šibenik, Croatia (Sept. 2024). Members of the International Advisory Board (IAB) were provided regular updates, participated in the Galway meeting (online), reviewed draft deliverables, and provided mid-point external reflections on IN SITU’s research [D7.1]. An interim Policy Brief was collaboratively developed based on research findings to date [D6.9].
