Join us for a one-and-a-half-day programme on the creative economy as part of CIM Forum 2025, taking place in Kotor from 29 to 30 May 2025. Discussions from Thursday 29 May 2025 will also be livestreamed for free.

In partnership with CIM Forum and BEYOND Studio, we are bringing together expertise from the UK and across the region, creating opportunities for connection and knowledge exchange among creative economy professionals.

The creative industries play a crucial role in generating employment, attracting investment, and increasing exports, while also contributing to place-based regeneration and the preservation of cultural heritage.

We are thrilled to provide a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and the exchange of best practices to support the development of a connected Western Balkans and Wider Europe creative market through this ambitious programme:

THURSDAY 29 MAY

The whole day of discussions will be livestreamed for free.

Theme 1: ‘Policy and Advocacy’, from 9:30 until 11:00 CEST.

Description: Getting the policy makers onside and getting funding from institutions. Creating policies that enable the creative industry and drive the growth of the creative economy.

• Introduction by Clare Sears, Director Western Balkans and Cultural Engagement Business Director for Wider Europe at British Council.
  
• UK Case Study
• Western Balkans Case Study
• Wider Europe Case Study
• Measuring Success and Impact

Theme 2: ‘Entrepreneurship and Innovation’, from 11:30 until 12:30 CEST.

Description: Building the skill and talent base, and the approaches to entrepreneurship and innovation that enables the development of new and growth of existing creative clusters and networks.

• Creative Talent – Growth and Development
• The Creator Economy Futureproofing Skills and Training
  

Theme 3: ‘Reinventing cultural spaces’, from 14:00 until 15:30 CEST.

Description: Where do you invest and grow your creative economy - placemaking both physical space, infrastructure and creative communities that provide the foundation for a successful creative cluster whilst nurturing existing initiatives, skillsets and traditions.

• UK Case Study
• Western Balkans Case Study
• Wider Europe Case Study
• Placemaking and Creative Communities panel discussion

Theme 4: ‘Digital impact and emergency technologies’, from 16:00 until 17:15 CEST.

Description: New technologies, opportunities and challenges that need to be considered and addressed for success - how to leverage the incredible opportunities offered by AI, etc whilst navigating the challenges. Building in the tech from the ground up. Advantage: not having to re-align existing industries.

• Wonder Panic: Creativity and Generative AI. Short talk
• Virtual Production and Immersive Performance Case Study
• Brave New Futures panel discussion
• Closing remarks

FRIDAY 30 MAY

A series of workshops starting from 9:30 and ending at 13:00 CEST only available to those attending in-person.