Creative Communities Igniting Change Erasmus Project

Project Title

Creative Communities Igniting Change

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education; Creativity and culture; Labour market issues incl. career guidance / youth unemployment

Project Summary

CONTEXT
Creative Communities Igniting Change was carefully structured to generate impact for the young unemployed and other socially excluded target groups, the communities that have experienced brain drain and high levels of unemployment and eyesore empty buildings and the VET providers who serve them, by achieving an effective and replicable core model for creative industries training and support within a community environment that provides access to VET for key target groups but also leads to broader economic innovation and revitalisation. The creative sector has a major role to play in creating entrepreneurial opportunities which tackle discrimination and inequality in the field of entrepreneurship and employment. A leading driver of dynamic and innovative economies and an area of focus for EU development, it represents 6.8 % of European GDP (approximately €860 billion) and 6.5% of European employment (approximately 14 million). Yet for all this potential, there is little opportunity for disadvantage groups to connect with VET in the creative economy as a stepping stone to entrepreneurship.

OBJECTIVES/ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN
Over 24 months, CCiC worked to realise 4 objectives:-
1) Establish 7 sustainable, sector specific Regional Alliances (in Ireland, UK/Northern Ireland, Poland, Sweden and the Netherlands) forging collaborative relationships between VET providers and HEIs, creative industry bodies, economic actors, local governments and wider stakeholders that will optimise and mobilise the creative sector strategic response at regional level.
2) Developed 5 Action Plans to improve the quality and relevance of creative industries training and support on offer and provide entrepreneurship pathways. The creation of a “Creative Communities Igniting Change Toolkit” is facilitating the replication of Regional Alliances of this nature across Europe.
3) Create and publish a course curriculum, guiding VET practitioners on the topics and skills most needed by emerging creative entrepreneurs from at risk target groups. Our blended learning “Creative Business as a Source of Employment” course helps potential creative entrepreneurs to set up in 90 days. Training to develop or enhance physical creative hubs in local communities is also developed.
4) Embed policy for development of creative regions by creating lasting partnership structures that will have a positive and long-lasting effect on the creative industries policy systems in each region.

PARTNERS
The CCIC project partnership draws together seven organisations from four EU project countries. Partners were selected on the basis of their direct experience in support the creative industries sector in relevant geographic areas (e.g. Lodz is branded as the City of Creative Industries), but the Alliance also reflects diversity in mission (HEI x 2, VET x1, NGO/community development) and market orientation (private and not-for-profit). With an elearning specialist, a Chamber of Commerce with a proven track record in the creative industries and two strong Irish partners with community and entrepreneurship expertise, the CCIC partnership formation provides a robust combination of skills and resources. Importantly, each partner brings an impressive access to an extensive network of contacts in the EU, thereby aiding developmental and dissemination activities.

RESULTS AND IMPACT –
IO1 CREATIVE COMMUNITIES IGNITING CHANGE TOOLKIT
Published in 3 languages
7 CCIC Regional Alliances have implemented the Toolkit
758 downloads achieved at end October 2017

IO2 CREATIVE COMMUNITIES IGNITING CHANGE REGIONAL ALLIANCES & ACTION PLANS
Over the course of 20 Regional Alliance meetings, 194 representatives of key stakeholder organisations attended from 9 key target groups of VET, HEI, Enterprise Development organisations, Local Government creative industry networks, arts and culture bodies, SMEs, youth organisations and community organisations
5 Regional Action Plans were created and 2 more (for East Belfast, UK and Friesland, The Netherlands) underway.

103 CREATIVE BUSINESS AS A SOURCE OF EMPLOYMENT COURSE CURRICULUM AND CONTENT
Published as a dual track offering:-
Ignite Creative Entrepreneurs – 5 modules on how to set up creative business in 90 days
Creative Communities – 2 training modules to upskill community leaders and change makers to develop or enhance physical creative hubs in local communities

IO4 ONLINE COURSE & MULTIMEDIA OPEN EDUCATION RESOURCES
46,611 website visits to IO pages
Course accessed 2,603 times on Slideshare, 396 downloads of classroom course materials
95 learners completed pilot test

344 people attended 5 Multiplier Events substantially surpassing the target of 275.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 252783,89 Eur

Project Coordinator

Roscommon Integrated Development Co. Ltd t/a Roscommon LEADER Partnership & Country: IE

Project Partners

• Akademia Humanistyczno-Ekonomiczna w Lodzi
• Banbridge District Enterprises Ltd
• POLNOCNA IZBA GOSPODARCZA W SZCZECINIE
• FOLKUNIVERSITETET STIFTELSEN VID LUNDS UNIVERSITET
• MOMENTUM MARKETING SERVICES LIMITED
• CANICE CONSULTING LIMITED