LSG #2 in Belgium by Designregio Kortrijk
On March 11, 2025, Designregio Kortrijk (DRK) organized a stakeholder meeting at Hangar K in Kortrijk as part of the monthly Coordinating Meeting of Designregio Kortrijk. These meetings aim to bring together stakeholders from various disciplines to facilitate knowledge sharing, discussions, and collaboration.
Hangar K, the chosen venue, plays a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurship in Flanders. It provides an ideal space for startups, scale-ups, and innovative businesses, particularly in the digital, EdTech, gaming, and design industries. By offering a vibrant ecosystem of like-minded professionals and valuable networking opportunities, Hangar K is a key driver of entrepreneurial success.
This setting made it the perfect location for the second Local Stakeholder Group (LSG) meeting of the CCSI4CCSI project. The session aimed to update stakeholders on the project’s objectives, methodology, and progress. The ‘Creatives for the City’ (CCSI4CCSI) project, part of the Interreg Europe initiative, focuses on identifying the major challenges and opportunities within the cultural and creative sectors. Recent findings highlighted three primary concerns for the CCSI:
- A lack of funding
- Limited collaboration opportunities
- A shortage of creative workspaces
At the same time, key opportunities were identified in the development of creative hubs, international networking, and sustainability-driven growth.
These insights were reinforced during the Design Drinks & Talks event on February 20, where 70 professionals from the creative sector participated in a discussion. Attendees emphasized the importance of bold entrepreneurship and collaboration, recognizing that creative ideas gain momentum when businesses and supportive partners are involved. Reducing barriers to cooperation and funding was seen as essential for sector-wide growth.
CCSI4CCSI is committed to addressing these challenges by bringing together eight European partners, including Designregio Kortrijk and the City of Kortrijk, to strengthen the cultural and creative industries. By facilitating discussions and fostering collaboration, the project seeks to enhance the impact of creativity on the broader economy.
With the presence of a diverse group of stakeholders, the March 11 meeting provided the perfect platform to share project updates, engage participants, and encourage further involvement. The unique structure of the meeting allowed for immediate input and discussion, ensuring active participation from attendees.
The presentation was delivered by Stijn Debaillie, Managing Director at Designregio Kortrijk, and provided valuable insights into the next steps of the project. With continued engagement and collaboration, the CCSI4CCSI initiative aims to create a stronger, more connected creative sector in Europe.