The Strategic Dialogue on the European Creative Economy in Brussels

On Wednesday, ELIA Marketing and Communications Manager, Derville Quigley represented ELIA at The Strategic Dialogue on the European Creative Economy in Brussels. Hosted by CreativeFED, policymakers, creatives, and CCI stakeholders responded to a series of urgent provocations, and engaged in presentations and debate.

A couple of key points rose to the top for me:

The Need for Narratives

“Who do I call when I want to talk to the European CCIs?” Kai Huotari asked — calling for the promotion of robust channels within the sector. He described how, post-WWII, the idea of creating European cultural narratives was surrounded by deep scepticism. “Enlightenment at this time spoke to our minds, and not our hearts.” Houtari proposed collaboration as a core strength of the sector, with Europe’s diversity and multiplicity being its key asset.

In his keynote, Christian Ehler MEP elaborated further on the power of narrative in the context of strengthening the cultural economy. Using the classic Kelly bag by Hermès as an example, Ehler highlighted how cultural products and services reflect our values, beliefs, and sense of democracy. He urged CCIs to consider how we are perceived in a wider, global context. Who and what can we carry with the myths we are making?

Technology is a Cultural Industry

Marleen Stikker, Founder/Director of Waag Futurelab presented a transhumanist narrative. She questioned why humanity is being encouraged to look to Mars—or somewhere other than this planet—for survival. Highlighting this vision's inherent limitations and boring outlook, Stikker reminded us of the imaginative, ever-changing, colourful world that CCIs can hold and create. She spoke of technology as a cultural industry, noting the sector is still not recognised and must raise its game. “AI is not an IT industry challenge, but a cultural and creative challenge.”

CreativeFED White Paper & CYANOTYPES

Gerin Trautenberger and David Crombie presented the CreativeFED White Paper and CYANOTYPES' potential to revolutionise future skills training. 

An audience discussion highlighted concerns and ideas around the dominance of the dark economy in tech innovation, the roles creatives play in military defence, the meaning of cultural autonomy, shared values, and cultural sovereignty.

Through our recent FP10 Recommendation Campaign – ELIA is addressing several of these issues directly. As partners in the CYANOTYPES and SACCORD - The European Skills Accord projects, the production team behind Creative Skills Week 2025, and a CE Network Funding recipient, our fingers are in several pies.

We would like to thank CreativeFED (EFCE) for this invitation and look forward to collaborating on CCI sector strategy further.