ENCATC Congress 2024

Presenter: Leticia Labaronne, Professor of Arts Management and Head of the Center for Arts Management at Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland.

The overall aim of the research-for-action project is to create a coherent set of knowledge, tools and processes to empower museums and the performing arts worldwide to accelerate the transition towards sustainability. Museums, theatres, and other cultural institutions serve as multipliers, generating awareness and change in thinking and action. Their public role makes them highly visible and accountable, placing expectations on them to serve as sustainability role models.

This project will develop the first sector-specific framework of qualitative and quantitative indicators to measure sustainability for museums and performing arts organisations. It advances existing research by adopting a global, holistic perspective, integrating concepts from interdisciplinary sustainability research, and considering the perspective of the audience and funding bodies. 

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Presenter: Roberta Capozucca, Communication Officer, Consorzio Materahub, Italy

GreenCCircle aims to empower Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) to tackle climate change by developing a comprehensive support scheme. This initiative will identify skill gaps, create the GreenCCIrcle training for sustainable skills, and establish a multi-stakeholder ecosystem across 9 countries, fostering collaboration and innovation. 

With a focus on the EU Green Deal and Circular Economy principles, it will engage 120 learners, facilitate cross-industry fertilisation, and develop tools for environmental impact assessment and sustainable business practices. This project not only aims to improve green skills and attitudes within CCIs but also to foster EU-level collaboration and align with EU values, laying the groundwork for a future social entrepreneurial initiative.

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Presenter: Patrizia Braga, Head of Ecologic Innovation Department and Co-founder of Melting Pro, Italy; Roberto Ferrari, Executive Director, Galileo Museum of Florence, Italy.

The Italian cultural sector, recognized for its invaluable heritage, underscores the urgency of sustainable development. In this context, museum bookshops, as extensions of cultural institutions, offer a unique platform to promote environmental awareness and enhance visitor experiences. 

This project aims to propose a comprehensive approach to fostering sustainability in museum bookshops by assisting museums in designing processes to make their bookshops more sustainable, or by creating calls for bookshop managers/concessionaires that incorporate key sustainability factors (diagnosing the sustainability profile, supporting the design of eco-friendly products, selecting sustainable materials and suppliers, etc.).

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Presenter: Davide de Nicolò, Chief Project Officer, Tecnopolis PST, Italy;  Valerio Palasciano, Project Manager, Tecnopolis PST, Italy.

RESIST is a five-year (2023-2028) European territorial cooperation project, funded by the Horizon 2020 programme. Tecnopolis PST and the Department of Tourism, Cultural Economy and Territorial Development of the Puglia Region are the two Italian partners.

The overall aim of the RESIST project is to make regions more resilient to climate change. It brings together 56 partners from 12 European regions, who will work together to adopt a new framework to test four climate adaptation pathways, in four macro-regions of the European Union that differ in terms of characteristics and vulnerability: South-West Finland, Central Denmark, Catalonia and Central Portugal. Each macro-region will test know-how, adaptation pathways, exchange of experiences and collaborative activities, and will transfer them to eight twinned regions, including Puglia, through mutual learning activities and solutions to contrast the negative effects of climate change, also through the use of digital tools. In Puglia Region, the Resist project will involve enterprises of the tourism and cultural heritage sector, through activities of involvement, participation, comparison and definition of actions to face the climate change phenomenon and to find effective solutions for adaptation and, where possible, contrast.

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Presenter: Roberto Bernad, Manager of European Funds, Fundación Banco Santander, Spain.

CreaSus is a project co-funded by the European Union, under the Creative Europe programme, designed to guide and support CCSIs to make sustainability a key part of their operations and a competitive advantage. From October 2023 to September 2026, the process will be articulated combining the delivery of outputs such as a specific system of indicators for self-assessment and a toolkit for funding schemes, as well as capacity-building activities and piloting events in Spain, Ireland, Greece, and Italy, among other actions.

CCSIs are very different from one another and face unique challenges. One big challenge is the lack of policy guidelines on how to adopt sustainable practices in their products, services, and business models. This lack of guidance makes it hard for CCSIs to embrace sustainability since they often don't have the push from outside sources to do so. Recognising this, CreaSus believes that CCSIs can and should adopt sustainable innovations on their own, to become more competitive. Investing in sustainability can give CCSIs an edge and prepare them to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.

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Presenter: Rosanna Lewis, Senior Relationship Manager, British Council, UK

The Creative Commissions for Climate Action are a series of collaborative grants between UK organisations and partners around the world that explore the interface between art, science and digital technology and the contribution they can make to our understanding of the climate crisis and its global impacts. Over thirty Creative Commissions have been awarded since the programme launch during the lead-up to COP26, hosted by the United Kingdom in Glasgow in 2021. Through them, the British Council has engaged directly with 10,000 people from over 45 countries, face-to-face and digitally, and reached a global audience of over 4 million. Each Creative Commission is unique in nature, and they address a variety of climate themes including climate migration, plastic pollution, deforestation, green design, biodiversity, carbon footprint, consumption. They each use diverse tailored approaches that can be arts-led, community-led, digital, educational, scientific, exhibitions, or campaigns. There have been global partnerships as well as country and region-specific initiatives, including UK-Korea, UK-Egypt and the Middle East North Africa Anhar programme.

Through Creative Commissions for Climate Action, the British Council is supporting artists and cultural organisations to communicate and raise awareness of the effects of the climate crisis; develop new technologies and imagine alternative futures; bridge the gap between art and science; foreground indigenous knowledge and the everyday concerns of the people who are most affected by climate change; green urban spaces; engage young people and communities in climate action; communicate the urgency of the climate crisis in local and global policy-making contexts including at UNFCCC COPs. 

Learn more here.

Presenters: Francesco Spina, Sustainability Officer, Conservatoire Royal de Liège, Belgium; Ashkhen Fixova, Office and Project Coordinator, The European Association of Conservatoires (AEC)

During the first part of the session, the AEC Goes Green Working Group will present their detailed report on eco-sustainable practices within Higher Music Education Institutions (HMEIs). The report, based on an extensive survey conducted in the Spring-Summer 2023 involving responses from students and staff across over 70 HMEIs in 26 countries, examines the sector's current engagement with and needs for the green transition. This survey represents a pioneering effort to explore eco-sustainable practices within HMEIs. The survey report will serve as a foundation for developing Recommendations for green transition in higher music education, which will be published this fall.

The second part of the session will draw on the practical experience of the Conservatoire Royal de Liège, one of the Belgian higher education institutions committed to implementing a sustainable transition during the 2024-2027 triennium. Launched in 2023 by the federation of French-speaking higher education institutions in Belgium (ARES), the project provides targeted funding for the appointment of transition plan coordinators to enhance the integration of sustainable practices. Coordinators will develop comprehensive transition plans that align with the 17 SDGs, encompassing teaching, research, campus management, and governance.

Presenter: Evelina Sarantidi, Corporate Marketing & Communications Manager, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)

A cultural organization shall play a significant role in the face of the urgent need for practices and change towards a more sustainable future. Cultural institutions, as incubators of skills and ideas, in direct conversation with communities, and the society at large, shall address the most pressing challenges or greatest opportunities.

Designed to have the lowest possible environmental impact, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) is a hub of sustainability and innovation. Since the inception of its creation by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and architect Renzo Piano, sustainability has been a fundamental prerequisite and key element of the project. The architectural design and technologically advanced construction of the SNFCC make it one of the most environmentally sustainable buildings in the world. Since the first years of its operation, the SNFCC has been evolving into a metropolitan park governed by the principles of sustainability, both at the operational level and across the entire range of activities it implements to raise awareness and inform the public.

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Presenter: Aida Kalender, Researcher, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Smart city, a dominant paradigm in urban planning for the last two decades, has been seen as a potential solution to social challenges and essential for a sustainable future in the cities. Co-creation with citizen and communities is seen to democratize the tech innovation processes. However, sensitivity of marginalized groups and the risk of extractivism call for different approaches to tech innovations, introducing concepts such as intersectionality and principles of social justice. Frameworks such as Design Justice invites all involved in tech innovations in the smart city to shift their approach from top-down and market-driven, towards bottom-up community-led practices and collaboration between designers and communities. 

The project is attempting to reintroduce culture into the discussion on sustainable tech development in smart cities. It questions whether community-based non-profit art organisations can play a role in the smart city innovations in the way that they facilitate co-creation processes between stakeholders: marginalized communities, tech parties and city administrations.  Project proposes initiating a 10-weeks long Theatre of the Oppressed process with tech parties and marginalised communities in Amsterdam to learn about avenues for collaboration between these two worlds through arts and culture.

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Presenter: Carmine Moccia, PhD in Digital Transformation and Sustainability, University of Salento, Department of Economics, Italy.

"Climate Change and Financial Markets: Assessing the Impact on Lending Interest Rates and the Role of International Agreements" explores how the consequences related to climate change and policies aimed at mitigating climate change could alter banks' ability to achieve their monetary stability objectives. Climate change can affect bank lending in several ways. First, gradual warming caused by sharp increases in emissions can have a significant effect. Second, the increased frequency, severity and correlation of extreme weather events represents a significant risk as they may impair the ability to repay loans. 

Furthermore, sudden changes in carbon policies can have a major impact on the management and reputation of institutions, both from a purely environmental and economic perspective. Recognizing these channels is crucial for central banks in pursuing their monetary policy objectives. Policy responses may need to be developed to address the impacts of climate change on economic stability. It is therefore essential to integrate climate change effects into bank models to provide valuable information for decision-making processes. In this paper we analyze how climate risks can impact bank lending policies and channels. The impacts of carbon regulatory policies on the same lending channels will also be discussed.

Presenter: Ekaterina Pelevina, Project Assistant for Culture Moves Europe, Goethe-Institut Brussels, Belgium

Culture Moves Europe provides mobility grants for artists and cultural professionals in all 40 Creative Europe countries. It covers the sectors of architecture, cultural heritage, design and fashion design, literature, music, performing arts, and visual arts. With a budget of €21 million from 2022 to 2025, Culture Moves Europe is the largest European mobility scheme for the cultural sector to date. It is funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union and implemented by Goethe-Institut. The scheme follows the successful i-Portunus pilot project that took place between 2018 and 2022. 

40 Creative Europe countries. It covers the sectors of architecture, cultural heritage, design and fashion design, literature, music, performing arts, and visual arts. With a budget of €21 million from 2022 to 2025, Culture Moves Europe is the largest European mobility scheme for the cultural sector to date. It is funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union and implemented by Goethe-Institut. The scheme follows the successful i-Portunus pilot project that took place between 2018 and 2022. 

The scheme consists of two action lines:

1) Individual Mobility Action: for individuals and groups of up to 5 persons.

2) Residency Action: for legal entities to host between 1 and 5 artists and cultural professionals.

Specific incentives are provided both to encourage green mobility and to ensure the sustainability of the project as well as inclusion of people from diverse backgrounds active in the cultural and creative fields.

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Presenter: Ludovico Esposito, President, Sud Sonico, Italy.

Avant Learn is a capacity-building program willing to transfer interdisciplinary project management skills to cultural professionals, students and artists, and to enable beneficiaries to face the future challenges of music and cultural industries, including climate change.

It is expected beneficiaries to acquire a major vision and knowledge on contemporary, sustainable and responsible project management. Individuals are likely to learn how to design, start up and scale-up cultural projects that generate a wide, positive impacts on the civil society. The project has been co-funded by Creative Europe and has transferred such knowledge to 46 regional and national beneficiaries.

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Presenter: Philip Meersman, Doctoral Student, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Belgium. 

UTM contributes to the renewal of the literary sector in Europe through the adoption of Immersive Technology. UTM enhances transnational mobility, new technology and audience engagement with regards to poetry performance. UTM builds upon:

1. The networks and practices of slam poetry, a vibrant vector of audience expansion and artistic renewal, in urban and cultural diversification in the literary sector.
2. Immersive technology in the context of literary creation.
3. Tech infrastructure in 4 scientific planetariums, re-defining 3D projection technology as a compelling means of digital storytelling. 

UTM comprises 3 art schools and 4 planetariums, who will build an Immersive Website to build, exchange and disseminate immersive tools and skills, and make these accessible for literary and visual artists beyond the project’s lifespan.

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Presenter: Annick Schramme, Academic Director of the Master in Cultural Management at University of Antwerp and of the International Master in Fashion Management at Antwerp Management School, Belgium; Cristina Ortega Nuere, Director, 3 Walks, Spain

Tracks4Crafts is a research project that aims to promote the continuity and longevity of crafts. Through experiments (in so-called ‘pilot cases’) we test several tools, formats and instruments that can help the transmission of traditional crafts knowledge (TCK) to safeguard not only the crafts but also intangible skills and knowledge that characterizes craftsmanship. The UAntwerp coordinates this research collaboration of 15 partners (of research institutes, heritage – and umbrella organizations) from 10 different countries.

The main objective of T4C is to enhance and transform the transmission of traditional crafts knowledge for a more effective economic as well as societal valuation of crafts. Combining old crafts techniques with cutting-edge technologies opens new dimensions and opportunities for the preservation, restoration and distribution of cultural goods, as well as for new and high-quality products and services which foster ecological sustainability (through short

circuit exchange, re-use and the use of renewable raw materials) and inclusivity in the labour market. By delving into craftsmanship, we unravel a tapestry of knowledge, traditions, and possibilities that enrich our understanding of the past, present, and future.

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Presenter: Lucie Pešl Šilerová, Associate Professor and Supervisor of Music Production at Music Faculty, Janáček Academy of Performing Arts, Czech Republic

Open Houses Europe is a collaborative project involving 14 European cities and 13 cultural organizations, united by a vision to promote architecture as a positive force for change. This initiative fosters inclusive discussions on architecture's role in addressing social and environmental issues, helping residents gain new perspectives on their surroundings and envision the future of European architecture.

Co-funded by the European Union under grant nr 101100328 OHEu, this three-year collaboration began in early 2023. Open House Europe bridges the gap between professionals and the public through their shared passion for architecture, provoking dialogue, encouraging knowledge exchange, and fostering community building. By connecting organizations and exposing audiences to diverse architectural ideas, Open House Europe engages stakeholders in debates, prompting people to imagine, shape, and build a common future.

Learn more here.

Presenter: Pekka Vartiainen, Principal lecturer, Humak University of Applied Sciences, Finland

The “CreaDive - Building a multicultural working platform for creative sector" project, implemented by Humak and co-funded by the ESF+, is ongoing from April 2023 to March 2026. The three-year CreaDive project aims to build a communal and culturally diverse platform for work and networking for professionals in the creative sector. The goal is to promote the employment and integration of immigrant professionals in the creative industries into the networks of the region through the platform. Additionally, the project aims to enhance the creative sector ecosystem and its service pathways in the Southwest Finland region. 

The main activity of the project is to develop an entrepreneurship and career path coaching program for professionals in the creative industries. Multiple coaching periods take place in the years 2024-2025. The coaching is intended for professionals in the creative sector in Southwest Finland who are interested in starting their own business or developing their careers. Furthermore, CreaDive offers in-depth incubation coaching, allowing participants to further develop their business ideas and bring them to the market. The goal is for participants to either find employment, become self-employed, or start their own businesses after completing the coaching. 

In a short period, it has been noticed that the coaching directly meets the needs of the field: participants have been highly satisfied and have been able to advance their business ideas significantly through the coaching. Additionally, it has been observed that actors in the creative sector ecosystem in Southwest Finland have been in need of collaboration opportunities, and the project addresses this need by organizing networking and service design workshops for ecosystem actors.

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Presenter: Paola C.D. De Pascalis, PhD Candidate, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Italy

The analysis of different historical periods shows how circularity characterizes human existence since its origins. In fact, within this geometric form it is possible to identify the proximity between public law and art: phenomena that are only apparently distant but implicitly connected because deeply human. Including the link between these areas, it’s possible to take a further step forward and see the current vigorous application of development tax models that take into account the environment – which includes cultural heritage - and, above all, its protection: issues that are now increasingly central both at national (e.g. italian experience) and world level. 

The attention to a development that is primarily human, puts culture in a strategic position within the goal of sustainability. In fact, the values connected with beauty make man more aware of his co-existence with the other, stimulating and strengthening his sense of responsibility. The future, however, presents new challenges given the increasing space occupied in art by technology. Alongside the shadows that grips many of the most recent phenomena such as NFT and AI, at first glance the intervention of public finance, sustainable tax measures and circular economy could be even more ambitious than the present. However, the first step is to see the actual evolution and protect it, qualifying it and giving it the order that modern man still needs. This would also strengthen the relationship between the public and private sectors, consolidating the dialogue between the two realities.

Presenter: Antonia Silvaggi, Head of Skills for Culture, Melting Pro, Italy

Cultural heritage is a crucial economic and social resource for EU countries. However, most cultural heritage institutions underperform financially in generating economic sustainability and local growth, and socially in widening access and participation to new audiences and local communities.

AHEAD ‘s (Accessible Heritage Experience for Audience Development) vision is to increase the understanding that if we apply human-centred approaches, learning by doing, impact and data-driven methodologies in the cultural heritage sector, we can innovate the working practices and empower the sector to become more relevant for our communities, more financially sustainable and able to create opportunities for social, cultural and economic growth.

Learn more here.