Cultural and creative sectors and industries employ 7.6 million people in the EU. They have unique innovation potential, champion diversity and promote social cohesion in a range of areas.
But the sector lost about 31% of its revenue in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic alone and although there’s been some recovery, many financial and workforce challenges remain.
In response, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) created EIT Culture & Creativity – a new knowledge and innovation community to connect creatives and organisations to Europe’s largest innovation network.
The new pan-European partnership can expect to split about 300 million euros ($466 million) of EIT funding under Horizon Europe, with the possibility to leverage more funds from the private and public sector.
RMIT Europe was recently named an associate member of the community.
Executive Director Professor Marta Fernandez said RMIT is in a unique position to amplify the work of EIT Culture & Creativity, given the University’s international reach.
“As a gateway to innovation and talent in Australia and Asia, we’re well placed to support this work to strengthen and transform Europe’s cultural and creative sectors and industries,” she said.
“Australia and Europe’s cultural and creative sectors face similar challenges, so there’s an opportunity to connect on a research and innovation level to solve for a sustainable future.”
During the announcement of EIT Culture & Creativity, European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel said it would capitalise on the unique richness of European diversity.
“Culture is not only our common language, it also an innovating ecosystem,” she said.
“I look forward to observing the growth of this sector's innovators and start-ups under EIT's innovative approach, which has had a significant impact on the lives of Europeans over the previous decade.”
RMIT Europe is already working with EIT on various initiatives, including an Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education program called Network IQ, which will bring the University’s growth engine for entrepreneurship and innovation – RMIT Activator – to Europe.
New online courses for sustainable, inclusive and beautiful cities – run by RMIT in partnership with EIT and the New European Bauhaus – were launched in November.
Shortly after, RMIT Europe was named the annual Malaspina Award winner in recognition of the team’s significant contribution to scientific and cultural relationships between Spain and Australia.
In art and design, RMIT University is ranked 15th globally and 1st in Australia for QS Rankings by Subject 2022.
This year, RMIT Europe will celebrate 10 years of operation.
Read more about EIT Culture & Creativity.
In 2023 RMIT Europe is celebrating the significant milestone of its 10-year anniversary of operations in Barcelona. To learn about RMIT's history in Europe and keep up with the latest news and events, visit the #RMITEurope10 webpage and follow RMIT Europe on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Story: Aeden Ratcliffe
