27-29 NOVEMBER
Bologna & Prato, Italy
This year’s Culture and Creativity Conference is organised by the European Creative Hubs Network with the support of DumBO, our hosting hub in Bologna.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS), sustainability is no longer just a goal but a necessity. “People, Planet, Profit” highlights the interconnectedness of social, environmental, and economic dimensions, with a focus on how ecological responsibility and financial resilience must go hand in hand. As creative industries navigate the challenges of climate change and environmental impact, they must also ensure the economic viability of their enterprises. This conference will explore how these two crucial topics—ecological and financial sustainability—often collide, creating both challenges and opportunities.
A key focus will be on how the circular economy model can bridge this gap. By prioritising resource efficiency, waste reduction, and regenerative practices, the circular economy provides a blueprint for creative hubs to thrive while reducing their environmental footprint. Through this model, the event will demonstrate how ecological responsibility and financial sustainability can be mutually reinforcing, offering innovative pathways to both environmental and economic success for the sector.
Wednesday, 27 November 2024
MORNING
AFTERNOON
Location: DumBO | Officina Via Camillo Casarini 19, 40131 Bologna | |
| 17:00 | REGISTRATIONS |
| 17:30-17:50 | Welcome WordsMatteo Lepore, Mayor of Bologna | Informal Introduction to the programmeRita Cortes, ECHN |
| 17:50-18:10 | Kick-off SpeechSustainability in EuropeAnna-Lisa Boni, Deputy Mayor for EU/Recovery funds, climate mission 2030: neutrality and transition, international relations |
| 18:10-18:30 | Inspirational Speech #1Social Sustainability in the CCSBertram Niessen, Scientific director of the cultural association cheFare, PhD UrbEur – European Studies in Urban and Local Sociology |
| 18:30 | Welcome Cocktail & Speed Networking |
Thursday, 28 November 2024
MORNING
Location: DumBO | Binario Via Camillo Casarini 19, 40131 Bologna | |
| 09:00 | REGISTRATIONS |
| 09:30-09:50 | Official OpeningGiorgia Boldrini, Cultural Sector Municipality of Bologna | Dubravka Jurisic, Creative FLIP | Ivan Lopez Garrido, ECHN | Mara Polloni, DumBO |
| 09:50-10:10 | Inspirational Speech #2A dimora, the artistic residency of the Montagna Fiorentina. Making art in rural areas: challenges, impacts and hopes.A dimora is an artistic residency that takes place in the Apennine Mountain in Italy. It’s part of a big cultural regeneration process that wants to rebuild and rethink life in remote areas. After the first two editions, LAMA, organiser and curator of the residency, part of the Future Divercities project – funded by the Creative Europe programme, looks back at what has been achieved, old and new challenges and the social impact of the project. Martina Aiazzi-Mancini, Cultural activities Coordinator, LAMA Impresa Sociale |
| 10:10-10:40 | Plenary #1In practice: Social and Financial Sustainabilityintroduced by Myrto Kakara, ECHN 1. The Public’s Content Bureau Through daily sidewalk installations LEEFWERK transforms passersby’s words into collective artworks, merging voices to create decentralized narratives. Roman Luterbacher, artist LEEFWERK 2. Color Carne Color carne campaign is an integrated multi-channel campaign to change the perception of the color flesh from pink to all the colors of humanity. Cristina Maurelli & Giuditta Rossi, co-founders of Bold Stories 3. Contribution to be confirmed |
| 10:40-11:00 | Coffee break |
| 11:00-12:30 | Parallel Sessions #1Tools for measuring and understanding impact1. The potential of impact investing for creative hubs Impact investing is investing in organisations that intentionally aim for measurable social and/or sustainable returns next to (or beyond) financial returns. In this session we will delve deeper into the following questions: What can social impact investing mean for (the financial sustainability of) creative hubs? What are the possibilities for creative hubs of raising the interest of impact investors: what types of impact can creative hubs put forward to investors in terms of their ecological, social, economic, creative,… impact and sustainability? How can they map and measure these impacts? And what about the importance of a business model to accelerate these impacts? Hosted by Creative FLIP Joost Heinsius , Senior Expert, Goethe-Institut | Isabelle De Voldere, Senior Expert, IDEA Consult | Eveline Durinck, Senior Consultant, IDEA Consult
How can creative businesses adapt to a future that calls for regeneration and equitable distribution? This introductory workshop draws on the principles of Doughnut Economics to guide businesses on a transformative journey into the core design of their operations. We’ll explore the core pillars that underpin regenerative business design, highlighting how a shift in these foundations can help creative businesses align with a sustainable and equitable future. Participants will gain insights into rethinking traditional business models, establishing networks for collective impact, embedding new governance frameworks, and adopting financial strategies that prioritize planetary health and social equity. Are you ready to envision a regenerative path forward for your organization? How will your business transform to meet the demands of a more just economy? Leekei Tang 3. Social Impact Canvas for creative change makers A research-based intuitive tool, The Social Impact Canvas, to improve value statements to financiers, create incentives for public funding, attract an audience, and spread awareness on important topics.
The NEB Impact Model in Action: A whole Systems Approach to Urban Interventions Integrating Sustainability, Beauty, and Inclusion University of Bologna |
| 12:30-13:30 | Lunch |
AFTERNOON
| 13:30-14:15 | Tour of DumBO |
| 14:15-14:45 | Plenary #2In practice: Environmental Sustainabilityintroduced by Rita Cortes, ECHN 1. The Healthy Building Raquel Traba Galisteo, TRIPLE
Marta Lovato, sustainability manager of Santarcangelo festival 3. The role of the sustainability manager Ville Kurki, KAAPELI | Neda Tosija, co-founder of TransfoLAB
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| 15:00-16:30 | Parallel Sessions #2Green dreams into reality1. Managing Sustainability The role of the sustainability manager in practice: an invitation for a brainstorming session on the role of the Sustainability Manager – the definition of the role, the guidelines, expertises and constraints of the emerging position and how this is applied to Creative Hubs. Marta Lovato, Sustainability Manager of Santarcangelo festival | Neda Tosija, co-founder of TransfoLAB 2. Working Conditions: How can we ensure greening and improving working conditions go hand in hand Exploring how environmental sustainability can coexist with human sustainability in the cultural sector. An interactive workshop asking the participants what their experiences are on the subject, what are their dilemmas and how they approach that, if they do. Hosted by Creative FLIP Elena Polivtseva, Independent Researcher | Joost Heinsius , Senior Expert, Goethe-Institut 3. More than 100 green cultural dreams Hosted by Creative FLIP Sylvia Amann, Senior Policy Expert |
| 16:30-16:50 | Coffee Break |
| 16:50-17:50 | Panel discussionCrossectorialitymoderated by Vassilis Charalampidis, ECHN 1. Exploring new forms of creativity between humans and AI Gonçalo Guiomar 2. CREATIVITY among different creative sectors Showcase the role of a creative hub within a large institutional project / share insights into how creative hubs can contribute to a project of this scale / establish connections with other creative hubs working on similar projects (and working in intersection of science, technology, and arts) Joana Carvalho, Dinamo 10 3. Cross-innovation labs Martin Q Larson , Subtopia Open Q&A Crossectoral pioneers – open call launch ECHN
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| 17:50-18:00 | Wrap up of the day |
| 18:00 onwards | Free tour of Creative Hubs / Maker Spaces/ Regenerative Spaces |
Friday, 29 November 2024
| 09:30 |
Registration and Coffee |
| 10:00-11:30 |
ECHN General Assembly(ECHN members only) |
| 11:30-12:30 |
break and box lunch |
| 12:30-14:00 |
Bus ride to Prato |
| 14:00-14:30 |
Presentation of Lottozero & Welcome coffee |
AFTERNOON
| 14:30-16:30 | Three activities // Groups in rotationExploring Lottozero1. Textile lab: Explore techniques on different machines Rotation to the various spaces, machines, technologies of LZ 2. Art Exhibition The ECHN members will have the opportunity to visit the Lottozero Kunsthalle, which is our exhibition space where we present the work of artists and designers interested in exploring textile material and languages. In November 2024 we will show a remarkable series of handwoven brocades by Graziella Guidotti, textile designer and historian of textile culture, who is considered the greatest living expert on ancient manual weaving techniques in Italy. 3. Textile design and sustainability The ECHN members will have the opportunity to participate in the Refashionized training session, which includes content and activities focused on sustainable fashion, specifically designed for trainers and youth educators. We will explore themes such as the history of fashion, eco-fashion, upcycling, and creative self-expression through innovative design. The workshop will be interactive, incorporating discussions and group activities, followed by practical sessions in our textile laboratory to ensure an engaging learning experience. Through this workshop, participants will gain valuable skills to inspire a deeper understanding of sustainable fashion practices. |
| 17:00-18:30 | Cocktail at surprise location |
| 18:30- 20:00 | Return to Bologna |
photo credit: Lottozero
Timișoara, as the European capital of culture for the year 2023, places the focus on strengthening the sense of community in the city. Boosting the confidence of its citizens to actively participate in the cultural production of their local communities is among the main objectives of the ECC institution this year. In this regard, Timisoara’s vibrant community of creative hubs leads the way into a common creative future.
DumBO (which stands for Distretto Urbano Multifunzionale di Bologna) is a temporary urban regeneration space. In Bologna, almost 40,000 square meters of the old freight yard Ravone, owned by FS Sistemi Urbani, are available to the city. Sheds and open areas, in via Casarini 19, destined to culture, art, social activities, music and sport for mixed and always different activities, in close relation with the territory. A place where associations, business companies and citizens collaborate and cooperate together.
DumBO offers the possibility to rent single spaces, suitable for infinite destinations. Spaces to renovate, available to accommodate different needs, within a short distance from the city centre, the bus station and the train station.
p dir=”ltr”>https://dumbospace.it Lottozero is a creative hub and a design studio, with a textile laboratory, a shared studio space/coworking and an exhibition area.
Lottozero’s mission is to create a fertile environment for textile research and experimentation in design, fashion and art, and an international base for people operating with textiles.
We support the development of designers, artists, brands and institutions through residencies in our headquarters in Prato, one of the main textile districts of Europe. We initiate and facilitating the exchange and collaboration with the local textile companies. We offer a fully functioning in-house textile laboratories which allow for constant experimentation, creation and prototyping of new ideas. We provide personalized services to anyone operating in the world of textiles, textile art and fashion.
p dir=”ltr”>https://www.lottozero.org
The European Creative Hubs Network is a peer-led network with a mission to enhance the creative, economic and social impact of hubs around Europe and neighbouring countries. As focal points for creative professionals and businesses, hubs offer the most effective way to support the growth and development of cultural and creative industries. The European Creative Hubs Network Project activated a program coordinated by ECHN for the members of its network. This project has been funded since 2021 by Creative Europe, as one of the European networks supporting the cultural and creative sector.
ECHNThe program aims at empowering creative hubs as main focal points for creative professionals and businesses. The central fronts of action include mobility opportunities for hub managers and community members, learning exchanges and workshops, advocacy at local and European level and academic research to highlight the role of creative hubs within the cultural and creative industries.
Creative FLIP, which stands for Finance, Learning, Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights, supports the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI) by addressing current challenges and opportunities.
Through its cross-sectoral approach, the project strengthens the entire CCSI ecosystem with activities spanning research, collaborative transformation policy recommendations (green, digital, democratic), pooling of information and resources, peer learning, innovative actions in key areas such as Finance, Learning, Working conditions, Innovation, and Intellectual Property Rights.
In the course of this project cycle 2024-2026, the consortium organises and implements various activities such as desk research, mapping exercises, learning labs, cross-sectoral cooperations and international conferences. With the flagship Creatives Unite and the development of three interactive tools for better access of information on Finance, IPR and Working Conditions, Creative FLIP is also continuously working on its resource platform, a one-stop-shop for the sector.
The consortium comprises the Goethe-Institut as lead partner, the European Creative Hubs Network, IDEA Consult, and Intellectual Property Institute Luxembourg.
With the support of
