The culture and creativity sectors are getting a major kick in the right direction with a little help from the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT).

This week the EIT announced an open call to help build a new sustainable innovation partnership to strengthen Europe’s Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). The Call for Proposals invites consortia of organisations and CCSI industry and sectoral leaders bringing together education, research, and business to put forward their vision and strategy for EIT Culture & Creativity.

The new Cultural and Creative Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) that will drive the competitiveness and sustainable development of Europe’s CCSI. The EIT hopes to launch two new KIC’s during the 2021-2027 EU funding period.

Of the call for this innovative creative area Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth said, “Culture is the soul of Europe. European cultural and creative industries have the power to improve lives, transform communities, generate jobs and growth, and create spill-over effects into other sectors, ensuring that Europe becomes the powerhouse of innovation in the world.”

She went on to express the European Commission’s dedication to ‘lay the foundations for a European innovation ecosystem based on culture and creativity’ and its support to create new ‘cutting edge innovations’ from this sector.

The new partnership will help accelerate CCSI’ recovery and unlock untapped economic opportunities in creative fields such as architecture, cultural heritage, design, fashion, film, music, publishing, performing arts and video games.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial talent to create sustainable growth and skilled jobs in Europe.

To provide interested applicants with more information about the upcoming Call for Proposals, the EIT is hosting a series of info seminars in the month of November. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the EIT’s innovation model and gain insight into how an EIT Knowledge and Innovation Community fosters innovation. Interested organisations are also invited to connect on the designated networking platform. Learn more about the series of info seminars and how you can get involved.