a creative momentum project

Pauline Whitea creative momentum project co-ordinator

Western Development Commission

CONNECTING CREATIVITY ACROSS EUROPE’S NORTHERN EDGE

www.MyCreativeEdge.eu

Transnational project to support the development of the creative industries

sector (Arts, Craft, Design and Media & Technology) across Europe’s Northern

Edge

• 3 years | 2015-2018

• Total budget | €2m

• Co-funded by EU Interreg Northern Periphery & Arctic (NPA) Programme

www.interreg-npa.eu

• Priority Axes 2: Promoting Entrepreneurship to Realise the Potential of the

Programme Area’s Competitive Advantage

• Specific Objective 2.1: Improved support systems tailored for start-ups and

existing SMEs in remote and sparsely populated areas

a creative momentum

project approach

Gather intelligence to increase understanding & support for

creative & cultural sector

Bring creative products & services to domestic & international

markets

Connect creative enterprises regionally & transnationally for

new business opportunities

Innovate new creative products/services through

collaboration & increase creative & business skills

Growing Creative & Cultural Economy

Creative skills, innovation & business development

Creative2Creative Matching

• 2 creative entrepreneurs from different countries ‘matched’ to work together online for 6 months to share experience & build networks

• 48 creative entrepreneurs (23 transnational pairs) matched & 12 ‘pairs’ completed

• Model developed (Rec: Some finance to support development of joint project)

Creative Steps 2.0

• Teams of creative students/recent graduates worked together through collaborative innovation model to develop new product/service idea for a transnational pair of creative enterprises

• 4 Rounds of CS 2.0 = 22 enterprises + 45 students

• Model developed (Rec: Some finance to explore prototype idea)

Business Model Toolkit

• Step by step resource for creative enterprises on different aspects of developing & evolving their business model Business Model Toolkit

Creative2Creative matching

Creative Steps 2.0

Physical & virtual connections

Creative Exchanges

• Information & networking events on various topics in each region (recorded/live-streamed)

• 41 Creative Exchanges in 5 regions with total attendance of 1,600+

• Model developed (Rec: More active facilitation of networking)

Creative Hotspots

• 1 established creative industry event (e.g. film festival, design conference) selected in each region & creative entrepreneurs from other regions supported (open call) to participate

• 59 creative professionals @ 5 creative hotspots

• Model developed (Rec: Important to have good group dynamic to build connections)

Network of Shared Creative Spaces

• Online transnational network of managers/owners of shared creative working spaces to share learning. Creative Spaces used to host project events & Space Profiles on MyCreativeEdge

• 120 Shared Creative Spaces identified in the 5 regions |26 Space Profiles published on MyCreativeEdge.eu

• Model developed (Rec: Transnational network for those who work in shared spaces)

Creative Exchanges

Urkult Folk Festival, Sweden

Digital DNA @ the planetarium

Northern Ireland

Arctic Design Week, Finland

Vaka Folk Arts Festival, Iceland

Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland

Routes to domestic & export markets

www.MyCreativeEdge.eu (@eucreative)

• Creative entrepreneurs can create & publish free Profile to showcase their work

• 42 professional photoshoots (open call) to build image bank for ‘Discover Creativity from Europe’s Northern Edge’

digital marketing campaign (Facebook, Google Display)

• 90,000 sessions | 70,000 users | 242 Profiles

• Model developed (Rec: More targeted digital marketing & need to proactively support networking of members)

Creative Trails

• 4 new Creative Trails in North East Iceland & South East of Northern Ireland. Mobile apps for tourists & locals to

visit open creative workshops/spaces. Brochures, marketing, media coverage (Rec: Greater promotion to visitors)

Model for Accessing International Trade Events

• Model to support access to International Trade Fairs by providing 50% (max. €2,500) of eligible cost for pilot

creative enterprises to participate in a Trade Fair in Europe to test the Model

• 22 pilot creative enterprises supported & Model developed (admin was v difficult & not suited to NPA)

Video Pitching Toolkit

• Toolkit of resources for creative enterprise to develop a short ‘pitch’ video for their idea/ product/ service by

contracting a professional video production company cost effectively

• Toolkit published

MyCreativeEdge.eu

Intelligence & influence

Economic & Social Impact Assessments

• A report assessing the economic & social impact of the creative industries sector in each region

• WoI: Total sales €486m | 4,900 enterprises | 12,800 employed

• SE of NI: Total sales £65m | 960 enterprises | 2,000 employed

Supports Assessments

• A report on the support needs of creative entrepreneurs in each region & good practice

examples

• Recommendations for further areas in need of support

Creative Sector Index

• A series of 5 indices assessing & comparing different aspects of creative & cultural sector

development in the partner regions.

• Cultural Enterprise, Creative Enterprise, Digital Culture, Creative Economy and Cultural Economy

Pauline White

a creative momentum project co-ordinator

paulinewhite@wdc.ie