A comparative analysis of the creative ecology of cultural and creative Industries in UK and the Southern European countries: lace market versus Portugal, Spain and Greece

Abstract

The unique ecology of Nottingham's creative industry sector was the inspiration for CINET, the creative industries network funded by the EU's Leonardo programme. CINET is a Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation Project funded by the European Union which brings together creative industry clusters in Nottingham, Greece, Portugal and Spain. Its aim is to facilitate shared learning amongst entrepreneurs and to promote entrepreneurship in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) by developing the conditions for learning and collaborative advantage within small firm clusters. CINET started with an analysis of Nottingham's creative ecology, not to provide a blueprint for other countries but as a generative resource to stimulate new thinking and innovative ways of supporting entrepreneurs in one of Europe's increasingly important sectors. Geographical clusters of creative enterprises such as that found in Nottingham's Lace Market can become learning networks where entrepreneurs share knowledge and experience with each other and build "collaborative advantage" by working together. Nottingham's experience also demonstrates the important role that institutional actors such as local authorities, universities and colleges, social entrepreneurs and places of cultural consumption can play in sustaining and growing a dynamic creative economy. In addition to its account of Nottingham's creative ecology, this eBook includes analyses of the sector in Greece, Portugal and Spain as well as reflections from experiences gained during the CINET project. These provide valuable insights into the emergence of the creative sector in Southern Europe and the types of learning interventions that will both enhance the success of individual entrepreneurs and maximise their contribution to the wider economy. CINET partners are: Universidade Aberta, Lisbon (Portugal); UK WON (UK Work Organisation Network) ;Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona (Spain); Kentro Erevnon Panepistimiou Pireos - University of Piraeus Research Centre, Athens (Greece); Association for Education and Sustainable Development (Romania); DNA, Cascais (Portugal); Media Deals Association (France) ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion