The ECBN (European Creative Business Network) was commissioned by the UNESCO to conduct a feasibility study to create a regular consultation mechanisms for cultural and creative enterprises involved in the implementation of the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions. Therefore, the ECBN together with 3Walks conducted a multimodal survey with the participation of micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises from the creative and cultural sector.

The results of the study will be presented at the Fifteenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which will take place online from the 8 to the 11 February 2021.

In comparison with the Convention’s other stakeholders, such as public institutions and civil society organisations, the private sector is less frequently involved in the work of its governing bodies, even though private enterprises play a leading role in the production, distribution and access to a diversity of cultural expressions, particularly in the digital environment. In this context, the main purpose of this study was to carry out a preliminary analysis to determine the possible modalities and costs of setting up a regular consultation mechanism with micro, small and medium-sized cultural and creative enterprises regarding the provisions of the Convention, as well as to assess the contribution that these enterprises could make to the work of the Committee.

Based on the main hopes and needs expressed by the micro, small and medium cultural and creative enterprises, Committee’s Members, CSO and UNESCO’s Secretariat, via the different data collection methods in this study – namely semi-structured interviews and an online survey –, three different scenarios for the establishment of this Regular Consultation Mechanisms were proposed.

After the analysis of the data in the study, exploring the possibility of setting up a consultation mechanism with micro, small and medium cultural and creative enterprises is recommended. Micro, small and medium cultural and creative enterprises generally expressed genuine interest in participating in a working body generating issues and content for the Intergovernmental Committee’s top level agenda. 

After the presentation of the study in its Fifteenth session, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions will decide on the creation of a Regular Consultation Mechanism with Micro, Small and Medium-sized Cultural and Creative Enterprises involved in the implementation of the 2005 Convention.

ECBN acknowledges in particular its members’ extremely valuable contribution to this study.