Image
Creative Wallonia Policy Instrument
Published on 13 April 2018
Belgium
Prov. Antwerpen
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
“Creative Wallonia” (launched in 2010) is a cross-cutting multisectoral and holistic public programme based on:
o The promotion of a culture of creativity (e.g. by raising awareness of CCIs among various audiences: SME’s, students (master on co-creation), clusters, finance sector (specific training), etc.)
o Structuring tools: creative hubs, living labs, co-working spaces
o Support to project owners (start-up incubators, market access with the action "Boost-up CCI" and link CCI/other sectors, access to finance with creative vouchers)
o Strong and long-term political support
o International dimension (search of partners and participation in European network)
The stakeholders come from the public innovation sphere. Beneficiaries of the program are various because creativity is for everybody : public actors, citizens, entrepreneurs, SME’s, students and professors.
o The promotion of a culture of creativity (e.g. by raising awareness of CCIs among various audiences: SME’s, students (master on co-creation), clusters, finance sector (specific training), etc.)
o Structuring tools: creative hubs, living labs, co-working spaces
o Support to project owners (start-up incubators, market access with the action "Boost-up CCI" and link CCI/other sectors, access to finance with creative vouchers)
o Strong and long-term political support
o International dimension (search of partners and participation in European network)
The stakeholders come from the public innovation sphere. Beneficiaries of the program are various because creativity is for everybody : public actors, citizens, entrepreneurs, SME’s, students and professors.
Expert opinion
This is a good example of a diverse policy instrument that supports areas relevant for a region, in this case non-technological innovation and culture of creativity. This specific instrument includes awareness-raising activities, international partner searches, structuring tools like creative hubs, living labs and co-working spaces as well as support to project owners. The model is replicable and could inspire policy-makers elsewhere. It is also interesting to read about a more detailed case study, i.e. a Creative Hub launched under the Creative Wallonia program (read more at: https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/good-practices/item/1176/the-creative-hubs-policy-the-example-of-wap-s-hub-the-creative-hub-of-the-city-of-tournai/).
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
By cumulating, resources from ERDF and the Walloon Region, approximately 15 million € per year are dedicated to the programme.
Evidence of success
Walloon territory and ecosystem have benefited from spill-over effects thanks to the different actions launched. The quantitative results : Different public target groups (SMEs, students, administration and start-ups) were impacted by these actions. Creation of new jobs, products/services, partnerships, 7 creative hubs, 3 living labs, trainings, etc. Qualitative results : The opportunity to do policy learning and to launch a second phase of the programme (2015-2019).
Potential for learning or transfer
It is a model replicable to other geographical areas. It can be an inspiring initiative for other regions and the lessons learned can be shared with other governments, who wish to launch similar actions. Thanks to this programme, it was possible to do policy learning and to launch a second phase of the programme 2015-2019 where we concentrate on the best actions ( validated and consolidated) but with room to test new actions (laboratory). For regions who would like to transfer this Good practice, we published a policy guide with the lessons learned. https://www.interregeurope.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/tx_tevprojects/library/WECD001-Guide-FINAL.pdf
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Service public de Wallonie
Belgium
Prov. Namur
Contact
Policy officer