CREACT4MED wraps up route to consolidate cultural, creative ecosystem of the Mediterranean

Barcelona, Jun 19 (EFE).- The CREACT4MED project, co-financed by the European Union, is entering its final development phase with the celebration of its closing event, which will take place in the Sant Pau Recinte Modernista, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Barcelona, Spain, on July 10 and 11. The event will showcase the achievements of a program aimed at consolidating and promoting the cultural and creative industries (CCI) in the southern Mediterranean countries, with a special emphasis on creating employment and business opportunities for women and young people.

This conference, co-organized by the lead partner, the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA), a think-tank based in the Sant Pau Recinte Modernista in Barcelona, and a project partner, the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMED), with Agencia EFE as a collaborating media outlet, will see key stakeholders attending various talks, workshops, and networking sessions.

Notable events include the opening by Rym Ayadi, president of EMEA and director of CREACT4MED, along with a presentation detailing the project's achievements and conclusions. This presentation will feature project coordinator and senior project manager at EMEA, María Ruiz de Cossío, and lead researcher Yeganeh Forouheshfar, along with other colleagues and beneficiaries of the project.

The organization explained to EFE that four years of work and collaboration have allowed them to reflect on their achievements and plan the next steps to ensure the sustainability of the initiatives launched.

“This is an opportunity to share experiences, strengthen cooperation networks, and highlight the enormous potential of the cultural and creative industries in the Mediterranean,” commented María Ruiz, adding that they expect more than 100 participants at the closing event, including financial agents, experts, emerging companies from the cultural and creative industries, and CREACT4MED partners and beneficiaries.

Highlighted achievements include the training and capacity building of more than 400 established and emerging entrepreneurs through an academy, a summer school, and various incubation programs; financial support to 35 entities, totaling 450,000 euros in direct aid to entrepreneurs and CCI organizations, which enabled, among other actions, the launch of six national-scale incubation programs and the release of over 20 new products and services.

Additionally, during this period, regional and local events have been held, including three annual conferences, eight networking events, six company pitch events, and multiple workshops, seminars, and dialogues between EU and southern neighboring countries' stakeholders.

In the long term, organizers have stated that their objectives include supporting the creative industries of southern Mediterranean countries, consolidating their impact as an economic driver, and contributing to the diversification and strengthening of local economies, generating new employment and development opportunities.

“Training and capacity-building initiatives increase the competitiveness of creative companies, enhancing innovation and the use of new technologies. By promoting collaboration between different countries and cultures, as well as the inclusion of women and young people in the productive fabric, the project fosters integration, mutual understanding, and sustainable growth in the region,” concluded Rym Ayadi, director of the CREACT4MED project and EMEA President.

To attend the CREACT4MED Closing Event, either online or in person, register at the CREACT4MED website: https://creativemediterranean.org/events-page/creact4med-closing-event-forging-future-paths-for-creativity-and-culture/. EFE

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 Photograph of project coordinator and senior project manager at EMEA, María Ruiz de Cossío.//FOTO CEDIDA POR LA ORGANIZACIÓN

 Photograph of Rym Ayadi, president of EMEA and director of CREACT4MED.//FOTO CEDIDA POR LA ORGANIZACIÓN

 Photograph of Rym Ayadi, president of EMEA and director of CREACT4MED.//FOTO CEDIDA POR LA ORGANIZACIÓN