EIT Culture & Creativity is dedicated to empowering innovators across Europe, wherever they are. Through the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS), we collaborate with the EIT Community to reduce the innovation gap between countries with established ecosystems and those requiring greater support, as identified by European Innovation Scoreboard.
As part of this initiative, 16 national hubs have been launched, each coordinated by EIT Community Officers. These hubs support innovation in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the Outermost Regions.
Connecting local and national players to Europe’s innovation ecosystem
The national hubs connect local authorities, innovators, and stakeholders with the opportunities and services offered by EIT Culture & Creativity, as well as eight other EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs): EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Digital, EIT Food, EIT Health, EIT InnoEnergy, EIT Manufacturing, EIT RawMaterials, and EIT Urban Mobility.
On 27 and 28 November, representatives of EIT Culture & Creativity – including Michal Hladky (Regional Hub East), Ivana Unkovic (Head of Operations), and Julie Lebrun (Head of Communications) – joined EIT Community Officers in Budapest.
Together, they explored ways to strengthen collaboration with local and national players, aiming to help Europe’s cultural and creative sectors grow, compete, and create fair, meaningful jobs while addressing environmental and social challenges.
As Ivana remarked:
“This event presented an important opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between EIT Culture & Creativity and the work of EIT Community Officers. I am confident they will act as a bridge between us and local partners, especially in fashion and architecture, and support tangible next steps for joint activities where culture and creativity sectors can thrive more.”
How EIT Culture & Creativity supports innovators
EIT Culture & Creativity provides a range of services for players in in sectors such as architecture, cultural heritage, fashion, audiovisual media, and gaming :
- Network Access: Connect with cultural and creative actors across Europe via our six Regional Hubs and Digital Hub. Join flagship events like the 100 to Watch Festival and Innovation Forum. Access collaborative initiatives, skill development programmes, and a vibrant talent pool.
- Market Access: Showcase your work at our hubs, gain preferred entry to major fairs, and participate in shared booths during industry events.
- Finance Access: Join our Investment Network to explore co-investment opportunities. Pitch your ideas at regional or European forums and apply for joint public and private funding.
- Policy and Regulation Support: Engage in our Cities & Regions Network and policy roundtables, and access reports and foresight studies on key topics.
Ready to collaborate?
Discover how EIT Culture & Creativity can support your initiatives at the national or local level. Learn more about the hubs here and explore partnership opportunities with us here.
In 2025, EIT Culture & Creativity will operate the EIT Community Hub in Slovakia. Stay tuned for job vacancies coming up.
Text: Julie Lebrun
Pictures: Olga Kozlitina
