Košice’s remarkable cultural transformation, initiated by its 2013 European Capital of Culture designation, has paved the way for its latest achievement as the host of the Regional Hub East within the EIT Culture & Creativity framework. This regional hub solidifies Košice’s position as a leader in the creative industries, focusing on regional collaboration, innovation, and sustainable urban development. By linking research, education, and business, Regional Hub East will further enhance Košice’s legacy, driving cultural growth and innovation across Central and Eastern Europe.

The office of the Regional Hub East will be located in Kasárne Kulturpark, a vibrant cultural and creative hub in Košice, which was revitalized during 2013 as a flagship project of ECoC. Kasárne Kulturpark is a dynamic space dedicated to fostering innovation, creativity, and collaboration among artists, entrepreneurs, and the community. It will support the triple transition by connecting research, education, and business, thus forming an innovation triangle that bridges creative industries with technological advancements, offering stakeholders access to networks, funding, and new markets.

The Regional Hub East, hosted by Creative Industry Košice, is positioned to become a vital hub for innovation and collaboration across Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine. Building on Košice’s status as the 2013 European Capital of Culture and a UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts, the regional hub will focus on enhancing quality of life through creative industries, architecture, and innovation in urban development. It aims to support sustainable growth by integrating culture and technology to drive regional socio-economic progress.

In addition to fostering urban transformation, the Regional Hub East will provide essential support for stakeholders in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs). By bridging the gap between innovation, education, and business development, it will offer opportunities for networking, access to funding, and new markets. This effort is set to introduce cutting-edge initiatives and collaborations that empower CCIs, helping them to thrive by connecting with international networks and aligning with broader EU goals for sustainable urban and cultural growth and innovation.

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