Culture and Creativity

The AER Breakfast Briefing co-organised with the East Sweden EU Office, took place on 15th June 2009 in the Észak-Alföld  representation office (HU). It looked at the role of regions in enhancing creativity through culture. 

Culture and creativity: a strong relation to stimulate regional development

Culture contributes to providing meaning, encouraging social cohesion, fostering education and promoting the democratic values of tolerance and solidarity, in a way that no other sector can. This contribution to society cannot be measured.

Culture is not only a way to foster cultural identity, it is a source of creativity, an essential element of innovation.

Thus, cultural policy, which is an important competence of regions must become a key tool of economic and social development.

Creativity is an integral part of cities' and regions' strategy to develop their economy, promote social cohesion and local identities as well as to give a sense of purpose to local or disadvantaged communities.

KEA Study

In the context of a new major study commissioned by the European Commission entitled “The contribution of culture to creativity”, KEA examines whether there is any evidence that territories, societies and companies can be more competitive and cohesive if they use culture to promote creativity and social innovation.

The study is part of a larger process to design a new creativity policy for Europe.

By closely examining the relation between culture and creativity, the study highlights specific ways in which culture enables individual and collective creativity, thus entailing sustainable development through enhancing territorial attractiveness, economic development, local regeneration, cultural diversity and social integration.

Creative Growth

This INTERREG IV C project, involving 11 European partners, aims at increasing European competitiveness and accelerate regional economic growth through the development of the creative sector as a new business sector and a key driver of the emerging knowledge economy. The aim is also to influence policy development on regional and local level by mainstreaming new knowledge and best practice into the policy making process.