We want to use our international networks and global reach to help creative hubs managers make their spaces more resilient and sustainable. Most creative hubs are small businesses themselves, run by entrepreneurial managers who face similar problems to the businesses they house. We spoke to hubs managers who told us they'd welcome the opportunity to come together to share business models and explore solutions to common challenges.
Our first Creative Hubs Forum took place in Lisbon in January 2015. Over 200 hubs managers from across Europe came together for talks, case studies, workshops and networking opportunities themed around future success and sustainabilty of hubs across Europe. Programming was led by a UK hubs steering group.
We’re now leading on a two year EU-funded project which aims to boost significantly the ecosystem that currently supports creative and culture sectors across Europe.
The project is partnered by an affiliation of six European creative hubs and the European Business Network, with a focus on creating a cohesive community of experienced creative hub leaders across the continent. Coming from a variety of sectors, business models and process stages, the network will promote hubs as innovative models to support Europe’s creative economy. Outputs will include forums, workshops, exchanges, a leadership group and policy papers.
The hubs involved are; Bios (Greece), Addict (Portugal), Betahaus (Germany), Kulturni Kod (Serbia), Creative Edinburgh (UK) and Factoria Cultural (Spain).