In close cooperation with the European Commission and European networks, and in association with CREADIS3 project, the Regional Initiative for Culture and Creativity Network (RICC) organized last 24th June the conference Orange economy shades: regional ecosystems and strategies -Innovation and sustainability models of CCIs in Europe.
RICC is an informal EU network, led by the Basque Country, Emilia-Romagna and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions, that works in close cooperation with decision makers and experts in the sector. Driven by regional Brussels delegations, RICC provides regional governments and territorial stakeholders with a common platform with the main objectives to: Promote the regional dimension on future cultural and creative policies and key European strategies and actions, participate in relevant EU funding programmes, and work under the Smart Specialisation RIS3 guidance.
In the last years, CCIs regional strategies have proven to be resilient. Under the S3 Strategy, they have positive spillover effects within regional ecosystems and communities, and they are able to shape strong and durable bonds at local, European and international level.
This event represented the opportunity to bring together representatives from the EU Institutions, regional authorities and local stakeholders to further discuss the most innovative and sustainable ways to fully unleash CCIs potential, especially in the light of the next post 2020 MFF and under the Smart Specialisation guidance. It also presented best practices on governance, supporting mechanisms, social cohesion and innovation.
After the welcome and introduction by Lorenza Badiello, Director of the Delegation to the EU - Emilia-Romagna Region, Barbara Stacher, DG EAC - European Commission and Maciej Hofman, DG EAC - European Commission carried out presentations concerning the state of play of the issue in the European Union.
Next, the first Panel: governance and regional ecosystems took place, in which representatives from the Basque Country, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Skåne and Tuscany regions discussed How to foster synergies in the creative sectors under the Smart Specialisation Strategy.
In the case of the Basque Country, it was Sabin Goitia, Basque Government Advisory Board for Cultural and Creative Industries who is directly participating in the CREADIS3 project, the person who presented the actions carried out. Other representatives were Sara Baronio, Area Science Park (Friuli Venezia Giulia), Ola Jacobson, Department of Culture, CCI Development and International Affairs (Skåne) and Mariachiara Esposito, EU Liaison Office of the Tuscany Region.
The second Panel: social and economic dimension of the cultural and creative sector dealt with the issue Social cohesion and culture as tools to foster innovation and co-creation at regional level. In this case, another CREADIS3 representatives, Silvano Bertini (Department of Research, Innovation,Energy and Sustainable Economy of Emilia-Romagna) and Chloé Faton (Economic Policy Directorate for Wallonia) made presentations, followed by Marcos Nogueira (Alentejo Regional Office in Brussels) and Daniela Protti (General Directorate for Culture of Lombardy).
Finally, Rafael Marcel Mondelaers (European Committee of Regions) summed up the conference conclusions.
