As part of the 4th STARfest – the largest event for career development of young people in BiH, a new regional platform for the development of creative industries – Creative Gate – was presented today in Sarajevo. This was also an opportunity to present through Creative Gate the vision of development and positioning of the Western Balkans as one of the main global hubs for cultural and creative industries, as well as new paths for cooperation, growth, and sustainability in this sector.
The presentation was attended by Siniša Šešum, Head of the UNESCO Office in Sarajevo, Amila Karavdić, Director of Cultural Engagement, British Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Renata Radeka, Coordinator of the project “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (UNESCO), Ivan Petrović, President of the Board of Directors of the EXIT Foundation and Jan Z. Kulenović, President of the MUNJA Incubator.
Siniša Šešum, Head of the UNESCO Office in Sarajevo, expressed hope that Creative Gate will become an excellent platform for creative industries in the Western Balkans and beyond. “It will be the space where artists, audiences and all other interested parties will be able to stay informed, collaborate and have their online place in a safe environment,” he added.
“The role of the Creative Gate platform as a catalyst for positive changes is crucial in creation of a richer regional cultural offer, and in creation of opportunities for cooperation and strengthening intercultural dialogue that can bridge divisions, promote better mutual understanding, and thus contribute to the development of local economies. This is a space where, through culture, technology and innovation, opportunities are created for economically sustainable and inclusive creative environment for creative professionals and talents of the Western Balkans”, said Amila Karavdić, Director of Cultural Engagement, British Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Creating a safe environment and a unique space for artists, audiences and future investors is part of the mission of the Creative Gate platform. Examples of successful cooperation between organizations gathered around the platform so far are a guarantee for the expected results.
“An example of excellent cooperation in the Western Balkans is the cooperation between UNESCO and the British Council, who jointly support EXIT Foundation in an effort to create the best conditions for attracting creative people using contemporary methods. The goal is to make the platform a space that will help artists strengthen their artistic power”, said Renata Radeka, Coordinator of the project “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (UNESCO).
At a time of great social transformations and challenges, it is important to recognize creative and intellectual capital and create preconditions for networking and better positioning of creatives from the entire region and contribute to their greater visibility towards potential investors.
“Creative industries, together with the ICT sector, are the greatest development opportunity of our region, both for economic development and for retaining talent in this region. Regional association is needed to create a favorable environment for the further development of this very fragmented, but in total large sector”, said Ivan Petrovic, President of the Board of Directors of EXIT Foundation at today’s presentation of the Creative Gate platform.
The advantages of this platform should be recognized by young people aged fifteen to thirty, who are also the first fully digital generation oriented towards the content of this kind, i.e., products of the creative industry.
“This opens a great opportunity for some to find a job, profession, or training in the near future, with this type of external support. Creative Gate fits into this story as a tool that would connect the digital generation with new types of professions in the field of creative industry”, said Jan Z. Kulenović, President of MUNJA Incubator.
The innovative digital platform Creative Gate was launched by EXIT Foundation and the Taksirat festival. This is part of the project “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs), funded by the European Union, which aims to strengthen the cultural and creative sectors in the region by improving dialogue and socio-economic impact. The project is implemented by UNESCO, the British Council, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), who are working to create a sustainable and inclusive creative environment, recognizing the importance of cultural heritage and innovation for regional cooperation.
