EU Project Capacity2TransformActivating the cultural and creative industries for a greener, digital future in Central Europe- Together with ten partners we address challenges faced by SMEs

With the Capacity2Transform project Steinbeis Europa Zentrum and ten further European partners address the pressing challenges faced by cultural and creative industries (CCIs) as well as small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in sustainable tourism in adapting to and engaging with digital and green transitions. The project emerged in response to the twin dilemma of digital and green transition insecurities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside a noticeable talent scarcity within the targeted industries and regions.

The project is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg Central Europe Programme with 2.4 million euros from March 2023 until February 2026. Eleven partners from Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Slovenia are participating.

In an innovative step towards fostering the digital and green transition in Central Europe, Capacity2Transform has officially launched its first activities, laying the groundwork for a transformative journey for the CCIs and the sustainable tourism sector. Spearheaded by Primorska Technology Park (Slovenia), alongside a consortium of 10 European partner organizations, this venture stands as a beacon of progress and collaboration under the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme.

During its first phase, Capacity2Transform set up a robust capacity-enhancement framework. This framework comprises a series of strategic actions and activities that aim to develop a shared understanding and approach to digital and green creative transformations but also catalyze significant shifts in skills, knowledge, and opportunities. With this capacity-enhancement framework, Capacity2Transform supports CCIs and SMEs in the field of sustainable tourism to (better) integrate into the broader digital and green initiatives.

Igniting innovation through collaboration

In the past 12 months, the Capacity2Transform consortium first mapped the current landscape and needs and prepared a Digital, Green and Creative competence measurement toolkit in view of – in a second step – crafting strategies, pilot action plans and capacity-building initiatives that resonate with the unique contexts of the participating regions. The involvement of all partners including Steinbeis Europa Zentrum underscores the collaborative ethos of Capacity2Transform that aims to leverage cross-border expertise and resources to reach a maximal impact.

Capacity2Transform is now moving forward with the implementation of strategies, pilot actions and capacity-building initiatives across nine countries in the Central Europe region. With a vision to upskill over 1.000 individuals (especially entrepreneurs and consultants) and foster transnational cooperation among over 200 SMEs, the project expects to develop 90 innovative Digital-Green-Creative action concepts, thereby marking a significant leap towards a sustainable and digitally empowered future for the cultural and creative sector.

Furthermore, the Capacity2Transform consortium is currently setting up two innovative platforms: the MediaFactory and the KnowledgeFactory that will outlast the project duration. The MediaFactory is dedicated to crafting and disseminating content centered around the green and digital transition and aims to stand out as a beacon for the digital, green, and creative revolution. Going beyond mere content creation, this platform ensures that the output – a series of expertly curated articles - is available for open access and stimulates thematic portals focused on green technology, digital evolution and sustainable growth as well as the creative economy in general to amplify the digital, green and creative revolution to a broader audience at no charge.

The KnowledgeFactory on the other hand will serve as a platform and nexus for sustained collaboration between business support organizations and research organizations involved in entrepreneurial support environments.

Empowering creative minds for a sustainable tomorrow

The launch of our pilot activities heralds a new era of innovation, sustainability, and cross-sectoral collaboration, promising to unlock the transformative potential of the creative and cultural industry and the sustainable tourism sectors in Central Europe.

Capacity2Transform’s progress – both in terms of implementation and results – confirms the power of transnational cooperation in driving forward the twin green and digital transitions for a more competitive, resilient, and sustainable Europe.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/capacity2transform/

MediaFactory: https://digital-green-creative.eu/