Idea
Empowering and Connecting Third Places through Incubation
CREAConnect project is an international initiative designed to transform Europe’s creative hubs and third places into dynamic incubators of innovation, collaboration, and inclusion. This three-year project, which brings together organizations from Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, and Serbia, fosters transnational collaboration and knowledge-sharing to strengthen the cultural and creative sectors.
By providing a structured and accessible support system, CREAConnect will address sustainability challenges, digital transformation, and community engagement. Through the collective expertise of its partners, the project empowers creative professionals with the tools, networks, and resources needed to drive long-term innovation and social change.
WHY?
Creative hubs foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion within the cultural and creative industries (CCIs). However, they often face financial instability, limited training opportunities, and difficulties adapting to emerging technologies. CREAConnect seeks to address these gaps by:
- Strengthening the capacity of creative hubs through tailored training and mentorship.
- Encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration and knowledge exchange across Europe.
- Promoting sustainability by integrating responsible business models and digital solutions.
- Enhancing social inclusion by creating accessible spaces for underrepresented groups.
How?
The project is built around three core actions:
- A Common Support Program – A capacity-building initiative to strengthen skills, encourage collaboration, and foster innovation among creative hubs and professionals. This program will provide hands-on training, expert mentorship, and resources tailored to the sector’s specific needs.
- Thematic Hackathons – Five international events where multidisciplinary teams will collaborate to tackle pressing challenges in the creative industries. Guided by expert mentors and evaluated by European specialists, these hackathons will generate innovative solutions with practical applications.
- Promotion and Capitalization – A strategic framework to showcase and scale the project’s outcomes, ensuring long-term impact through documentation, policy recommendations, and best practices shared across European networks.
