An ecological approach to developing inclusive and sustainable creative economies

Abstract

<p>Creative economies operate via the interconnections and interdependencies of many different kinds of cultural resources and stakeholders. Furthermore, such economies are constituted by systemic conditions that mediate the relationships they share with each other. Acknowledging this ecological nature of creative economies was the starting point of the DISCE research project. We want to underline the absolute necessity of assuming an ecological approach to investigating creative economies as the only way to tackle the associated challenges. It is crucial that the policymakers capture and understand the reality of creative economies and all those involved for an effective coordination of policy responsibility among relevant the policy agents. This ecosystem functions at different levels. Cultural policy, understood as a set of actions performed by public authorities, is most effective when it involves an actual territorial dimension, particularly at a local level. It needs to be set as a clear strategy and properly supported by funding to develop inclusive and sustainable economies. Cultural policy designed for a larger territorial level, such as national or even European, may also strongly contribute to inclusiveness and sustainability. However, cultural policy should always be conceived as a policy that interacts within an ecosystem (or different interrelated ecosystems) rooted in a territory at a local and regional level. Effective creative-economic policy that leads to sustainable results needs to adopt an ecosystem approach with a range of interrelated cultural resources. Creative workers interact in an ecosystem characterised by numerous other actors and stakeholders, inter- and multi-disciplinary knowledge, different kinds of expertise and openness to different forms of work and entrepreneurship<br></p>