Welcome to the new innovation policy platform for the cultural and creative industries
- POLICY AREAS
AI and Cultural and Creative Industries
New European Bauhaus – CCIs enabling green transition
Immersive Media
Crafts-led Innovation
Platformisation of the Music Industry
Inclusivity in Video Game Industry
Cross-Innovation with Performing Arts
Fashion Transition: Eco-Design for Circularity
Cultural Heritage Institutions within Open Innovation Ecosystems
New funding models for creativity and innovation
Spaces, infrastructures, and ecosystems for CCIs
The Barcelona statement
A European policy framework for Cultural and Creative Industries
The Barcelona Statement on Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) was launched as part of the policy framework of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It recognizes the crucial social, cultural, and economic role that CCIs play across Europe and calls for stronger, more coordinated support for the sector.
By positioning culture and creativity as drivers of innovation and societal well-being, the statement sets a shared vision for Europe’s future one that places CCIs at the heart of transformation.
Supporting innovation, sustainability, and social cohesion
The Barcelona Statement aims to strengthen innovation capacity within CCIs while contributing to a green and digital transition that is inclusive and people-centered.
Its objectives include:
- Supporting innovation and experimentation across creative sectors
- Enabling inclusive green and digital transitions
- Enhancing citizens’ well-being and quality of life
- Improving how we live, work, and interact in European cities
- Strengthening a shared sense of belonging to a Europe for all
Through these ambitions, the statement positions CCIs not as peripheral actors, but as essential contributors to Europe’s economic resilience and social cohesion.
ekip’s role in advancing the Barcelona Statement
ekip plays an active role in advancing the vision of the Barcelona Statement. As part of the ten-point programme, ekip contributes research, policy insights, and ecosystem-based approaches that help translate high-level ambitions into actionable policy recommendations.
By focusing on open innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and inclusive ecosystems, ekip supports the implementation of the statement’s goals across diverse European contexts.
Learn more about the Barcelona Statement
The Barcelona Statement serves as a reference point for policymakers, cities, regions, and creative ecosystems seeking to strengthen the role of culture and creativity in Europe’s future.
Latest ekip News and Updates
April 16, 2026
By Bodil Malmström
From Fabric to Future: How DPP is Transforming European Fashion
The transition toward a circular and sustainable fashion industry is gaining momentum across Europe, driven by both environmental urgency and evolving policy frameworks. ...
April 15, 2026
By Bodil Malmström
Creatives overlooked in national innovation strategies
From design studios to gaming startups, Europe’s cultural and creative industries are widely recognised as engines of growth. Yet behind the consensus lies a fragmented policy landscape that risks hol...
February 18, 2026
By Lena Holmberg
Open Innovation: A Game-Changer
At ekip, Open Innovation is more than a principle—it is a strategic principal positioning cultural and creative industries at the forefront of Europe’s innovation cycle....
February 18, 2026
By Bodil Malmström
Boosting Europe’s creative future: inside ekip’s prioritisation phase
In Brussels and beyond, cultural policy is often accused of reacting too late to technological shocks or market shifts. ...
