1. 25/03/10/ RIGA
European metropoles
share experience of creative clusters
Delegates from 11 European cities met in Stockholm’ s Culture House for the
second exchange of experience in the frame of Creative Metropoles project, an
EU Interreg IV C project. The conference aimed to raise awareness about the
impact and role of creative industries on economic development of cities and
show best examples of cooperation between governments, municipalities and
creative industries in European cities.
The Stockholm Experience Exchange event was mainly devoted to the results of research
carried out as one of the central activities for the EU funded project CREATIVE
METROPOLES: Public Policies and Instruments in Support of Creative Industries. The
reseach was based on analysis of the urban situation and creative industry practices and
initiatives realized in 11 European metropoles – Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin,
Birmingham, Helsinki, Oslo, Riga, Stockholm, Tallinn, Vilnius and Warsaw.
Professor, Dr. Dieter Haselbach - member of the project Research team, commenting
conclusions and findings: “Research of approaches for support of creative industries in 11
European metropoles highlighted that there are so many different understandings of
creative industries as well as very different experiences and approaches. We cannot say
which one is better or more progressive – it depends what cities are eager to achieve,
which approaches they use and which industries they support. The main conclusion is –
we all should learn from the experience of others”.
Professor in Economic Geography of Uppsala University, Dominic Power
analysing the role of the city stressed that it is important to distinguish which type of
creative industry the city is targeting, as each sub-sector has different needs and that
will determine the direction of further activities. . He encouraged the support of small
businesses and not to loose sight of creativity over commercial concerns.
Cases of best practice strengthening the creative industries were presented by
the cities of Stockholm, Tallinn, Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Vilnius and
Aberystwyth & Three Mills Island in UK.
“KreaNord” project presented by the Swedish Ministry of Enterprise was a good
example of intergovernmental cooperation in Scandinavia focusing on how to link
business and culture on regional level. The project was started by the Nordic Council of
Ministers and implemented in Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Faroe
Islands.
The city of Tallin presented its Business Incubator which opened in 2009 to support
creative industry development by strengthening its capacity, providing business
consultancy and premises. Tallinn’ s Business Incubator has already provided about 50

2. workspaces for talented people to develop their skills and start business. 46 companies
are in incubation process now and the first success stories are already developing.
The conference participants were impressed by the results of “Design Reactor” in
Berlin. Already six registered patents are the real outcome of brainstorms done by
creatives of different profiles that met at “Design Reactor”. The project has the potential
to expand into “Campus Reactor” and unite the creativity of both art and technology
students.
Business enhancement through cluster promotion and internationalization was the topic
presented as best practice of Catalunya region, Barcelona.
The city can support creative industries and benefit! That was the conclusion of more
than 10 years‘ experience of Broedplaatsen in Amsterdam considered to be the most
remarkable creative industry project developed and supported by the city of Amsterdam.
1440 working spaces, 2500 places of employment created as a result of this initiative.
The idea is based on regeneration of old city districts by young talented with support of
city.
“When we think about creative economies maybe we should be thinking of creative
ecologies?” – meaning Aberystwyth and Three Mills Island in UK as a great example
of response to place and culture. 17 design teams in cooperation with the local
community have started a regeneration project of brownfield territory turning it into an
astonishing and ecological residential and study area.
Past and future could be united by creatives: suburban area could be turned into a
unique living space and innovative community of artists – that is the story of Uzupio Res
Publika, in Vilnius, Lithuania. . Regeneration of one brownfield territory created rebirth
of the whole area and turned it into an attractive living space by power of creative people
and support of local municipality. The story is not ended – city is open to investors and
ideas.
Participants of Stockholm Experience exchange were invited for reception at the City
Hall, with Bo Bladholm Lord Mayor, President of the City Council Stockholm as the host.-
In parallel with the conference, a creative networking meeting - “Blender” took place at
Telefonplan, Stockholm and was attended by 25 companies from different creative
industry sectors. .
More insight and best practice presentations please find at: www.creativemetropoles.eu
About the CREATIVE METROPOLES PROJECT:
The cREATIVE METROPOLES project was initiated in 2007 by the Baltic Metropoles
Networkand now involves 11 European metropolitan cities. The project also strongly
supports the direction taken by the newly launched EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
that puts fostering of innovation support at its heart.
“CREATIVE METROPOLES: Public Policies in Support of Creative Industries” has received
2.44 MEUR funding from the INTERREG IVC programme in an effort to make public
support systems and instruments more focused, effective and better tailored to the

3. actual needs of the creative industries. It will run until September 2011.
The project is spearheaded by the culture and business development professionals of
local governments of Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Birmingham, Helsinki, Oslo, Riga,
Stockholm, Tallinn, Vilnius and Warsaw – cities that play a central role in the economies
of their countries. The City of Riga is the project initiator and lead partner of the
consortium. This is currently one of the widest pan-European projects addressing this
field.
For further information please contact:
PR Coordinator of the CREATIVE METROPOLES project
Dana HASANA
Tel: + 371 263 55 895; +371 67114347
E-mail: dana@creativemetropoles.eu