Inclusive and sustainable growth through cultural and creative industries and the arts

The development of cultural and creative industries (CCIs) is vital for a vibrant economy and as a means of revitalising EU regions. The CCIs employ 7.5% of the EU’s workforce and add around EUR 500 billion to GDP. CCIs also contribute significantly to youth employment and were remarkably resilient in the context of the economic crisis. However, they still do not benefit from the support of a comprehensive sectorial policy scheme in most Member States and Associated Countries or at the EU level.

Scope

Proposals should develop a comprehensive understanding of CCIs, improving indicators at national and at EU level. Using multidisciplinary qualitative and quantitative research approaches as relevant, they should assess knowledge gaps on the role of specific skills (including digital and artistic) and traditional crafts, education and training, and design and creativity. Proposals should explore the conditions for a successful CCI sector, considering business models, resilient strategies and innovative solutions to boost sustainable employment and growth in the sector, and their interactions with research and development processes, especially for the self-employed and micro enterprises. The impact of employment patterns, also considering its gendered dimensions, digitisation, financing models, tax incentives and IPR protection across sectors and the impact of national and regional Smart Specialisation Strategies should be addressed. Proposals should also assess how cultural and creative industries and the arts relate to and represent cultural diversity and how and to what extent they promote the access of all citizens to their experiences, services and products. Co-creation and stakeholder participation are considered important approaches to this topic.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the order of EUR 3 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected Impact

The action will formulate recommendations in support of regional, national and European policies in the field of cultural and creative industries. It will inform, mobilise and connect relevant sectorial and policy stakeholders and increase awareness of the economic and societal issues at stake. It will also improve statistical data and quantitative and qualitative methods in cooperation, when appropriate, with national statistical institutes, relevant international organisations, networks, research infrastructures and Eurostat with a view of enabling short, medium and long term tracking of national and EU performance in CCIs.

Cross-cutting Priorities

• Gender
• Socio-economic science and humanities