EIT Culture & Creativity is the 9th Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
EIT Culture & Creativity’s mission is to inspire and facilitate collaborative innovation in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). From culture to communities, creatives to capital, small and large entrepreneurs to markets, imagination to technology, EIT Culture & Creativity will strengthen innovation and power Europe’s green, digital and social transformation.
For the next 7 years, EIT Culture & Creativity will pursue three strategic objectives – education, innovation and business creation – across five priority areas: fashion, architecture, cultural heritage, audio-visual media and gaming. While the KIC places strategic importance on these priority areas, its scope extends beyond engagement with stakeholders exclusively from these sectors.
Overall, EIT Culture & Creativity aims to future proof talent and improve working conditions, achieve sustainable and responsible economic growth for people and for the planet, and create a dynamic business ecosystem of CCSIs able to scale and compete in global markets. It’ll do so with the help of an investment network, hoping to attract 200 new investors in the CCSIs space by 2027.
ICE UK Consortium (ICE UK) is the UK’s national vehicle for engaging with EIT Culture & Creativity activities. Established by six founding members (Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, Creative UK, Innovate UK, UK Business Angels Association, University for the Creative Arts, University of the Arts London), it has the aim of identifying, sharing and maximising the opportunities for UK CCSIs flowing from EIT Culture & Creativity, as well as influencing their design and delivery.
Led by Creative UK, ICE UK was founded in October 2021 to act as a strategic partner to the EIT Culture & Creativity programme.
As well as Creative UK, the list of current members and partners in ICE UK includes:
- Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre
- University of the Arts London
- UK Business Angels Association
- University for the Creative Arts
- Arts and Humanities Research Council
- Royal College of Art
- Loughborough University.
Starting in Summer 2024, ICE UK will identify and share opportunities of interest (e.g. calls for proposals) to UK CCSIs, expand the existing network of interested parties and monitor the impact of EIT Culture & Creativity in the UK.