On 18.05.2021 the digital workshop on the strategic orientation of the creative industries in the Baltic Sea region took place. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Culture from Warsaw, Poland. Dr. Laima Gerlitz was invited here as a panelist and leader of one of the workshops focusing on intersectoral and cross-border innovation.
The 12th edition of the workshop was dedicated to the current situation of cultural and creative industries (CCI) in the Baltic Sea region. The measures to limit the coronavirus pandemic introduced in European countries have serious implications for the state of CCI and all institutions dealing with cultural affairs. To overcome the current and future uncertainty, it is essential to strengthen the CCIs, especially the sectors most affected by the crisis.
The micro, small and medium enterprises of CCIs, non-governmental organizations and other actors have suffered severely, although they are responsible for strengthening cultural diversity and are to a large extent its vitality. Therefore, they deserve more adequate support to overcome the negative effects of the current crisis and spread their potential in new ways.
The workshop aimed to develop an analysis of the creative and cultural industries (CCI) in the region in light of the objectives outlined below:
- Identify the impact of the coronavirus lockdown on CCI;
- Aid (including public financial aid) granted to the sector;
- "Adaptation" to the new reality - is there a new innovative approach?
- To identify how CCI can help overcome the coronavirus crisis in society;
- to identify how to support CCI in non-financial ways - what wide-ranging activities would be most helpful: promoting CCI creativity, strengthening demand for CCI services, promoting CCI creativity through the media.
In total, more than 60 participants from all business sectors and the CCI participated in the event and drew a positive conclusion with regard to the potentials in the CCI.