Focusing on collaboration, exchange of experiences and the creation of new connections, the 5th Local Stakeholder Group Meeting of the project “Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries for Collaboration, Competitiveness, Sustainability and Innovation” (CCSI4CCSI), entitled “Turning Needs into Opportunities for the Local Cultural and Creative Ecosystem,” took place on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, at the Hellenic Design Centre in Thessaloniki. The meeting was organised by the Region of Central Macedonia (RCM) and the Business and Cultural Development Centre (KEPA).
The meeting provided a vibrant space for dialogue among organisations and stakeholders from the cultural and creative sectors, giving participants the opportunity to share experiences, initiatives and challenges and, most importantly, to explore how the needs and ideas emerging within the local ecosystem can be transformed into concrete opportunities for collaboration and joint action.
The discussion began with the presentation of key insights and good practices from the recent CCSI4CCSI transnational “Exchange of Experience” Meeting in Croatia, highlighting the power of collaboration and demonstrating how even an initially bold or unconventional idea can, through the right partnerships, evolve into an initiative with meaningful social and developmental impact.
Attention then turned to the local ecosystem itself and to collaborations that have already begun to emerge. Participants presented activities and ideas from a wide range of fields – from culture, arts and the creative industries to education, social innovation, sustainability and technology – and explored the points where these different areas can connect.
Through the interactive workshop and the use of the CC SKG Matrix, participants mapped initiatives, resources and opportunities for collaboration. The process revealed interesting complementarities and generated new ideas: connecting cultural organisations with creators and artists; using gaming as a tool for cultural and social engagement; linking art with health and social care; and recognising the importance of storytelling and documenting the process through which collaborations are developed.
Emphasis was also placed on two needs identified as crucial for the further development of the ecosystem: better access to funding opportunities and more systematic networking. Participants discussed the need for clearer and more targeted information on available funding instruments, eligibility requirements and the types of support best suited to the different profiles and needs of cultural and creative organisations. At the same time, the discussion highlighted the importance of establishing sustainable networking mechanisms that enable organisations to understand what others can offer and what they are looking for, thereby facilitating longer-term partnerships.
The meeting concluded with the collection of proposals and directions that could contribute to the development of a joint Action Plan for strengthening the region’s cultural and creative ecosystem. Topics proposed for further exploration included funding, skills development, the creation and sustainability of networks and collaboration platforms, as well as stronger links between culture, creativity, entrepreneurship and social impact.
This 5th Local Stakeholder Group Meeting confirmed that a strong cultural and creative ecosystem is built not only through individual initiatives, but above all through connections, synergies and continuous dialogue among the people and organisations that form it. The ideas and needs identified during the meeting provided valuable input for the next stage: turning dialogue into concrete initiatives.
