CREACT4MED Project Closes with a Bang, Leaving a Lasting Impact on the Mediterranean Region
The CREACT4MED project, co-financed by the European Union, recently held its closing event, bringing together over 100 participants, including project partners, beneficiaries, financial agents, commercial development experts, and startups from international chambers of commerce. During the event, participants discovered and discussed the project's key results, which have fostered innovation and creativity in the Mediterranean region while strengthening ties between economic and cultural actors.
A Lasting Impact
In total, over 400 people have directly or indirectly benefited from this program developed in six countries: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia. The project had a budget of €2,220,675, with direct financing for 23 entrepreneurs, as well as support for six business incubators and six entities promoting regional cooperation.
The Power of Culture and Creativity
Rym Ayadi, Director of CREACT4MED and President of the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA), stated that the work accomplished has had a significant impact, concluding that culture and creativity are pillars of economic and social transformation, as well as well-being in the region.
"Cultural and creative industries are not only a source of beauty and inspiration; they are powerful drivers of economic growth and social cohesion. By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, these industries serve as vital building blocks for economic transformation and sustainable development in the Mediterranean region," Ayadi emphasized. She also highlighted the importance of women's roles in these industries, as they bring essential talents and contributions.
A Successful Collaboration
Roger Albinyana, General Director of IEMED, expressed his gratitude to the EMEA team for their work as project coordinator. He congratulated the consortium for their remarkable efforts despite the challenging contexts they faced. Albinyana also highlighted the numerous opportunities present in cultural and creative industries, particularly in terms of regional cooperation and sustainability initiatives. These areas offer significant potential for strengthening ties between economic actors and promoting sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.
Research, Training, and Financing
The project's closing event allowed for a review of all activities carried out since its launch four years ago. One of the project's main axes was research, aiming to collect essential data to understand the functioning of cultural and creative industries in the Mediterranean region. This research also helped identify areas requiring additional support or improvements.
Thanks to these efforts, eight detailed reports were produced, providing an overview of cultural and creative industries in participating countries. These reports include a repository of best practices, offering valuable recommendations for supporting and developing these key sectors.
The project's second pillar was training, with various activities organized to help entrepreneurs acquire the necessary skills to advance their ideas and business projects. CREACT4MED set up an online academy lasting three months, benefiting over 400 entrepreneurs. A summer school was also organized last year in Barcelona, offering a week of intensive training.
The third pillar, financing, provided direct financial support to 23 entrepreneurs in six southern Mediterranean countries. The project also supported six incubators or accelerators dedicated to providing key services for commercial development. Additionally, entities promoting regional cooperation received funding to carry out activities in multiple countries simultaneously.
Building a Community
The project's final pillar, engagement, focused on building a CREACT4MED community and highlighting the importance of cultural and creative industries, as well as their entrepreneurs. CREACT4MED organized numerous events, including annual conferences, online and in-person networking events, and webinars. In total, 40 events were organized, creating a community of over 1,600 creative minds.
The Alliance for the Mediterranean Creative
To capitalize on the work accomplished by the project, the coordinating entity EMEA launched the Alliance for the Mediterranean Creative during the final event. The Alliance is composed of nine founding members who are key actors in cultural and creative industries in the region and will continue to promote and support these industries.
In discussing the Alliance, Professor Ayadi emphasized: "By forging the Alliance for the Mediterranean Creative, we embark on a path of collaboration, innovation, and cultural enrichment. Together, we will build a brighter future for the Mediterranean – a future where creativity knows no bounds, and entrepreneurship thrives in harmony with our shared heritage and values."
Join the Alliance
To join the Alliance and learn more, contact creact4med@euromed-economists.org.
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