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25.06.2013
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creativ wirtschaft austria: Spill-over effects of creative industries can be useful for rural areas |
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Strengthening creative industries outside of urban centers is both a challenge and an opportunity - find here the new study |
"So far, the city was considered to be the ultimate place for creative entrepreneurs. However, in the era of limitless communication rural areas can be the breeding place for progress under certain conditions", said Gertraud Leimüller, chairman of the creativ wirtschaft austria from the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber on Monday in Brussels. The creativ wirtschaft austria invited to a workshop at the Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU in cooperation with the EU Office of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber on 24th of June: The focus of the workshop has been on the potential of creative industries at regional level.
This topic was investigated for the first time in the Fifth Austrian Report on Creative Industries: The number of companies within the creative industry is increasing primarily outside of cities. Indeed, 18% of Austrian companies within the creative industry are already located in rural areas - and the number is continually increasing. According to the study, 52% of companies could in principle work independently from their location.
An increase in creative industries in rural areas can create a win-win situation for the creative entrepreneurs and the regions: "New opportunities are emerging for communities and regions. Thanks to specific strategies, problems with regard to migration and aging population can be tackled, which pays off culturally and economically", said Leimüller. Consequently, the focus on the creative industry or its sub-sectors could help to increase the competitiveness of regions and communities, to create a unique image and to attract young citizens in particular. The Creative Economy Report offers the perfect guidance and useful recommendations for this purpose.
In order to benefit from the regions’ potential, the creative industries have to be anchored in the EU funding programs for the coming period 2014-2020 (COSME, Horizon 2020, Structural Fund Programs). The implementation of the planned guarantee fund, as part of the "Creative Europe" program for creative industries, is of particular importance: "It is an important tool to address one of the biggest obstacles to growth within the creative industries: lack of funding. In fact, the proper time to implement the creative industries into the EU funding system is now. Therefore, the creativ wirtschaft austria of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber advocates this purpose at all levels", Leimüller concluded.
