Posted on August 5, 2024
From June 25th to July 3rd, CREACT4MED organized six online advocacy sessions with academics, experts, and policymakers from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia. The sessions, chaired by CREACT4MED’s Senior Researcher Dr. Yeganeh Forouheshfar, provided an opportunity to present and discuss the latest policy documents produced under CREACT4MED.
The sessions began with a presentation by Dr. Forouheshfar of the Regional Policy Paper “Empowering the South Mediterranean: Building a Thriving Cultural and Creative Economy.” This paper aims to unlock the creative potential of the South Mediterranean region by proposing a comprehensive set of policy recommendations designed to cultivate a vibrant CCI ecosystem that fuels economic growth, empowers artists, and enriches the cultural landscape. The recommendations focus on three key approaches: mainstreaming creativity, building an enabling environment, and enhancing job quality for creative professionals.
Following this, a country-specific Policy Action Plan for each targeted territory was presented, offering an overview of CCI in each territory, key recommendations for unlocking their CCI potential, and concise action plans detailing necessary actions and stakeholders to involve.
These presentations sparked enriching discussions, where more than XX experts shared their insights and experiences, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in implementing the proposed strategies. Participants highlighted the need for tailored approaches that consider local contexts, the significance of cross-border cooperation, and the potential of digital platforms to expand access to CCI markets. Feedback underscored the necessity of integrating the voices of young creatives and women, who are vital to driving innovation and cultural expression in their communities.
Two additional advocacy sessions to discuss the recommendations made for Algeria and Israel will be organized in early September.
CREACT4MED is a project funded by the EU through the EuropeAid Programme, aimed at strengthening businesses within the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). It seeks to support entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs, create jobs, and foster sustainable economic growth in the Southern Mediterranean, with a particular focus on young people and women. The initiative is led by the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA), which coordinates these vital efforts.