Policy Dialogue: Bridging Creativity and Innovation for Europe’s Future

Throughout ekip´s third Policy Dialouge, this time in Kosice, Slovakia, a recurring theme was the need for tailored approaches to address regional and sectoral disparities. As Ragnar Siil, Director of Creativity Lab in Estonia emphasised:

“One size doesn’t fit all. We must ensure that policy recommendations resonate with the diverse realities of Europe’s cities, regions, and creative sectors.”

The European cultural and creative industries project, ekip, convened its third Policy Dialogue—a hybrid event drawing stakeholders from across Europe to engage in meaningful discourse on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. The gathering, held at the cultural park in Kosice, Slovakia, reflected ekip’s commitment to fostering a collaborative approach to policymaking. Featuring voices from policymakers, academics, creatives, and city representatives, the dialogue illuminated both the potential and the challenges of embedding culture and creativity within Europe’s broader innovation ecosystem.

Reimagining Innovation in CCIs

Valentina Auricchio from Polictecnico di Milano and an ekip partner, opened the event by underlining its purpose:

“Our Policy Dialogues are not about presenting conclusions—they’re about listening. They’re a moment for open exchange, where we confront challenges, refine strategies, and draw insights from diverse sectors.”

This ethos was echoed by the project’s validators, experts who have been instrumental in assessing the robustness of the ekip engine—a dynamic framework designed to deliver actionable policy recommendations for Europe’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs).

Anna Whicher, Director of Research at PDR Cardiff, praised the Policy Lab model, describing it as “an innovative, hands-on approach to co-creating policies that are desirable, feasible, and resilient.”

She encouraged policymakers in attendance to embrace the creativity embedded in these labs, noting that they “offer exciting, imaginative perspectives for addressing societal challenges.”

Fragmentation in the Creative Sector

Cristina Farina, an expert in policy development, highlighted the dual challenge facing Europe’s CCIs: bridging the gap between culture and innovation while ensuring cultural values remain central to policy discourse.

“Innovation has often been viewed as a technological pursuit. Yet, creativity is about finding new ways of doing things, discovering worlds we haven’t yet imagined.”

Farina also stressed the need for policies to address systemic barriers, such as limited access to technology and fragmented ecosystems, that hinder CCIs’ participation in innovation.

Her insights were complemented by Philippe Kern, founder of KEA, who emphasized the importance of rebranding CCIs as essential contributors to Europe’s innovation agenda.

“The creative process is another form of R&D,policymakers must recognize its economic and societal value.”

Kern further urged the sector to find a unified voice, bridging the divide between for-profit and non-profit entities, to influence broader innovation agendas effectively.

Refining recommendations

The dialogue emphasized the importance of tailored strategies to address regional and sectoral differences.

As Ragnar Siil of Estonia noted:

“One size doesn’t fit all. We must ensure that policy recommendations resonate with the diverse realities of Europe’s cities, regions, and creative sectors.”

Siil’s remarks underscored ekip’s efforts to refine its recommendations through iterative processes, leveraging its network of partners across 42 countries.

The event also shone a light on the evolving nature of CCIs. Vanessa Mon from Politecnico di Milano called for a renewed focus on ethics in digital innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence.

“If culture and innovation are public goods, we must ask: who governs these processes, and how do we ensure they align with European values of democracy and inclusion?”

This sentiment was echoed by several attendees, who stressed the urgency of preparing CCIs for the challenges posed by emerging technologies.

A Call to Action

Closing the dialogue, Calandra reflected on the dynamic discussions:

“What stands out today is the collective agreement on the transformative potential of culture and creativity. But the road ahead requires collaboration, experimentation, and a commitment to amplifying the voices of those who often go unheard.”

Whether through policy labs, innovative funding mechanisms, or cross-sectoral partnerships, the ekip initiative aims to ensure that Europe’s creative industries not only adapt to change but also drive it—shaping a future that is greener, more inclusive, and deeply rooted in cultural innovation.