The cultural and creative sectors (CCS) are among the most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The crisis not only shed light on the pre-existing fragility of the sector, but has also provided momentum for more substantial positive change and for re-thinking prevailing unsustainable structures and practices. Due to the crisis, many innovation needs in the CCS or opportunities for the CCS became more visible and new ones were added.
Therefore, when thinking about future perspectives for the CCS beyond the Covid-19 crisis, a return to the ‘old normal’ is not considered to be a viable option. Given the fragility that characterised the sectors already before Covid-19, the CCS are in need of a more systemic transition rather than recovery. To fully embrace the objective of a transition towards more sustainable futures, it is necessary to step away from a purely emergency perspective and to embrace an innovation-oriented approach.
Innovation policy is therefore crucial – always and even more in times of crisis and disruptive transformations of business and society. This concerns not only digital and business model innovation, but also other crucial innovation topics like social cohesion methods by the creative sectors, arts and health, the role of arts and culture in urban development, ecological innovation, etc. However, existing innovation support frameworks only partially reflect the specific needs of the CCS. Peer learning involving different governance levels, institutional backgrounds and a wide range of EU countries is therefore crucial to broaden the concept of innovation and embed it into forward-looking policies aimed at supporting the sustainable transition of the CCS and a strengthening of the CCS’ role in society at large.
Creative FLIP - Finance, Learning, Innovation and Patenting is a Pilot project co-funded by the EU whose main objective is to support healthy and sustainable ecosystems for Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) with respect to these four key policy areas.
You can read the full report here.
