Bernd Fesel, Chair of the ECBN, will be chairing the panel “Preparing Fertile Grounds: Policies to Connect Business and Creativity”, which will take a look at policy instruments that have proved effective when trying to bring companies and creatives closer.

Culture and creativity are powerful – not only as sources of identity, enjoyment and self-actualisation, but also as the critical drivers of cohesion, inclusion, innovation and growth. However, their potential to provide solutions to the most pressing challenges remains largely untapped. More than anything or anyone before, COVID-19 has brought this potential to light. Culture and creative industries can undoubtedly help lead the way out of the crisis, but they have been hit hard by the crisis themselves.

The 2020 edition of Creative Forum Ljubljana will take place in the midst of this turmoil. Policymakers try to support cultural and creative sectors so that, in turn, they can help the economy and society to bounce back. The stakes seem to be higher than ever. Shortly after #ECIS2020, Creative Forum Ljubljana will delve into the debate by addressing the critical need to bring culture and creative industries closer to the traditional ones. It is a win-win scenario for the future.

What are the symptoms of creativity and how can we develop them into a full-blown creative outbreak?

The world has changed and so has the Forum.
This year, Creative Forum Ljubljana is:

BUSINESS-ORIENTED: In order to amplify its message and widen its reach, it has joined Innovation Day. Year by year, this traditional Slovenian event, organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, celebrates innovative achievements at the international level. This year, in a combined programme, it will lend voice to companies that thrive on their innovative cooperation with cultural and creative sectors.

GLOBAL: The current challenges go far beyond the regional scope. Consequently, the Forum will adapt by connecting speakers and participants from all over the world. Its capacity-building modules, however, will remain oriented towards its traditional target audience: the Western Balkans and the European Neighbourhood.

ONLINE: Naturally, we will miss the hands-on community building and inspiring debates over coffee breaks. However, we will gain by reaching out to new audiences and by adopting new formats of cooperation – more direct and immediate.

Join the Forum to see how industry and commerce benefit from the innovation capacities of the creatives. What are the best practices? What policy framework is needed? Can the existing platforms and support mechanisms do more in these already challenging times? What is the role and the challenge of creative hubs? Share your experience with us, question high-profile speakers or simply get inspired.

See the programme and further info at: http://www.creativeforum.si