Spaces for innovation: exploring successful practices for CCIs in Malta

This study visit marked an inaugural service for the Policy Learning Platform. The day began with a warm welcome from the Interreg Europe team and the host organisation. Thematic experts Laura Varisco and Marc Pattinson provided a comprehensive overview of third places and their role in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration, sharing selected good practices and lessons learnt within the Interreg Europe Community. 

Following this, Miranta Athanasakou from the Municipality of Keratsini-Drapetsona presented an overview of the local vision and challenges, emphasising the need for innovative spaces and collaborative spaces. Among the main challenges highlighted were: 

• Creating workspaces that encourage face-to-face interactions, enhance creativity, and promote collaboration and experimentation. 

• Transforming buildings into landmarks that reconnect with the urban fabric. 

• Reusing abandoned industrial buildings to preserve industrial heritage and promote a circular economy. 

• Developing a coherent framework for an integrated approach, including community and stakeholder consultation. 

• Securing funding for programmes, activities, events, and technological/digital amenities to support innovation. 

• Attracting and retaining users, creatives, and related businesses to ensure project sustainability. 

• Connecting essential factors for knowledge-based development. 

• Creating networks by spatially concentrating creative workers, organisations, and infrastructures in physical spaces. 

Miranta also presented the results of the online survey campaign aimed at involving the local community in the renovation of the underutilised Kachramanoglou building (a former industrial site). 

The host organisation then presented the transformation journey of the Valletta Design Cluster, from an old abattoir into a dynamic landmark perfectly integrated into the urban fabric. The development followed a structured process: 

• 2014-2016: Informal consultations, discussions, presentations, and workshops at both national and international levels. 

• 2017-2019: Consolidation of the consultative and design process under the Design4Innovation initiative, involving stakeholder meetings and coordination with authorities. 

• 2018-2021: Infrastructural works were carried out on-site. 

• 2021-2023: The Valletta Design Cluster was opened and became fully operational.