Project context
Implemented by UNIDO, the EU-funded project “Development of Clusters in Cultural and Creative Industries in the Southern Mediterranean” is undertaken within the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) framework and is consistent with the socially-inclusive growth objectives of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), which recently gave the project its label. The project also benefits from a financial contribution from the Italian Development Cooperation.
Seeking to embed the concept of clusters within the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI), this project is in itself unique. It could represent a tremendous opportunity for inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) and job creation in the countries of the Southern Mediterranean. Meanwhile, by nurturing creativity and fostering innovation that are rooted in each country’s respective cultural heritage, the region’s diversity will be strengthened and its economic performance will be enhanced.
Strategy
After an initial mapping of clusters and value chains in cultural and creative industries in the Southern Mediterranean, a call for proposals is launched to allow interested groups of companies to apply for UNIDO’s assistance. Clusters and cluster initiatives in CCI are invited to submit their proposal. In addition to the technical support in entrepreneurial cooperation and in product development, great emphasis will be put on networking and international collaboration as well as on market access activities.
In each target country, a national steering committee comprising of public and private actors will short list a selected number of clusters; this list will subsequently be validated at the regional level during a regional conference.
Check the details of “call for proposals” here
Interested clusters and cluster initiatives can obtain support from the national UNIDO team with completing the application form, which is downloadable from the project website
Expected results
• Mapping of existing clusters and value chains in the cultural and creative industries in the project’s target countries of the Southern Mediterranean;
• Technical support delivered to at least one promising cluster initiative per target country;
• Cluster-related business advisory services and CCI technical assistance provided to the selected clusters;
• Required new equipment purchased for selected clusters;
• Plans for national governments to replicate the project’s activities, creating linkages with financial institutions and other development partners devised;
• CCI centres established to serve as knowledge repositories to increase national and regional expertise related to CCIs and cluster development;
Also see press release of the project here
Download project factsheet at the right column
For more information on the project, please contact: cci-clusters@unido.org