ekip: a project that became a journey

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From early ideas to European influence, Rickard Bucksch, ekip’s former Policy Officer at the European Commission’s DG Research and Innovation, reflects on a journey shaped by collaboration, experimentation and a belief in long-term change.

For Rickard Bucksch, his time with ekip has been far more than just another European project, his involvement has been unusually hands-on compared to most other EU-funded research projects.

“I’ve been with it from the beginning and much more involved than in most projects we fund,” he explains.

Unlike a typical observer role, he also took part in shaping the overall concept from an early stage.

“It has been a very interesting and exciting journey,” he says, describing an experience that evolved well beyond its initial scope.

From the earliest stages—helping shape ideas and contributing—to seeing those ideas transformed through dialogue and collaboration, he witnessed how concepts matured into something tangible and impactful.

“It’s enriching to see how initial ideas are interpreted, reinterpreted and strengthened step by step,” he explains. What began as a framework gradually became something strong that we can see and hear today.

A new EU focus on cultural and creative industries

A key reason for ekip’s importance, according to Rickard Bucksch, was the timing. Cultural and creative industries (CCIs) had just been introduced as a stronger focus in EU research and innovation policy.

That created space to test new approaches. Instead of starting from an established model, ekip had to build its own framework—connecting research funding, policy goals and creative sectors in practice.

Connecting creative industries with other sectors

One of the project’s core ambitions is to link CCIs with other parts of the economy.

“ekip wants to show how creative industries can support other sectors, not just develop on their own,” Rickard Bucksch explains.

He points to the involvement of both large companies and smaller creative actors as important.

“ekip has major players like Sony, Europe’s largest theatre company Riksteatern and IKEA onboard, alongside a high number of smaller organisations. That mix help make the discussion real and concrete.”

At the same time, he notes a structural challenge: many creative industries consist of small organisations that are difficult to reach and involve in EU programmes, and indeed in innovation ecosystems.

High level of commitment

Asked about the project’s strengths, Rickard Bucksch highlights the way the consortium functions.

“It’s a broad partnership, but still quite manageable and well organised,” he says and underlines the level of commitment.

“People really want to make this work. It isn´t just about delivering a project—it is about creating something that can last beyond it. It is really about a paradigm shift for Europe’s CCIs.”

Another clear strength, in his view, is the connection between EU level and local reality.

“You can’t make EU innovation policy work unless you connect it to regions and cities. ekip manages to do that quite well.”

Rickard sees his own role mainly as bringing in the EU perspective. He contributed through contacts, policy insight and experience from research and innovation environments.

“It’s important that a project like this is anchored in how EU funding and policy actually work.”

Key takeaway: make it concrete

For Rickard Bucksch, the main lesson from ekip is the need to move from concepts to practical outcomes.

“The biggest risk is staying at an abstract policy level.”

He stresses that recommendations must be usable.

“It’s not enough to talk about ideas. You need concrete examples and clear ways of applying them.”

He also warns against only engaging already convinced stakeholders.

“If you only talk to the people who are already interested, nothing really changes.”

Looking ahead

Ultimately, Rickard Bucksch believes that ekip’s true legacy lies not only in reports or outputs, but in the people, networks and knowledge it has generated.

“This is a project with a certain lifespan, but it consists of institutions, individuals and connections that continue beyond it,” he reflects.

Much of its impact, he adds, will live on in shared understanding and ongoing collaboration, sometimes intangible, but no less powerful.

”ekip is ultimately about building connections that continue in practice: between sectors, between EU policy and regional implementation, and between creative industries and the wider economy.”