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In Europe, where over 70 per cent of the population now live in urban areas, culture and creativity is central to addressing the challenges cities face. Creative Cities seeks to support a new, emerging generation of urban influencers and innovators by providing opportunities to make new contacts, and to develop and share ideas in order to make Europe’s cities better places to live, work and play.
The Creative Cities project explores new ways to improve the quality of life in urban communities by involving young professionals from diverse backgrounds. The project will enable them to acquire knowledge, networks, skills and tools to strengthen their voice in making decisions on the environment they live in. Discussions will cover a range of issues, including public spaces, arts and social activities, the contribution of creative industries to city development, and the role of cultural policy.
The project works in partnership with a range of cities and organizations active in developing innovative approaches to city policy. Involvement in the project provides an opportunity for cities to establish a competitive advantage for themselves and attract creative talent, which contributes to their future economic growth.
The project is organized with partners within private and public organisations and with European cities in the UK, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia. It will continue until the end of 2011.
The three strands of the Creative Cities project are:
- Future City Game
- Urban Ideas Bakery
- Urban Forum
In Lithuania we have held a number of events:
FCG Ukmergė (June 2009)
Vote for the best idea
Visit the Creative Cities webpage
FCG Plungė (May 2009)
Read the Plungiškis article
Visit the Creative Cities webpage
FCG Klaipėda (May 2009)
Read the 15min article
Visit the Creative Cities webpage
FCG Kaunas-London (November 2008)
Read the blog
Visit the Creative Cities webpage
The Impact of Culture: Vilnius Reflection (March 2009)
The forum was organised in partnership with Vilnius–European Capital of Culture 2009 and the International Cultural Programme Centre. It focused on the impact of culture on cities, changing nature of the relationship between the arts and business, integration of culture in policies, and change of cultural institutions. Read more
This is a method for young professionals to work together to develop and put into practice solutions to urban challenges across Europe.
The British Council is now recruiting emerging practitioners and change makers active in the area of social innovation and creativity in cities to join the Urban Ideas Bakery organised as part of the British Council’s Creative Cities project. The Urban Ideas Bakery is a group of young social innovators and sector experts drawn from across Europe who will work out, share and discuss practical solutions to real city challenges.
The first event of Urban Ideas Bakery project will be held in Kaunas, Lithuania on 10-11th of December. Local participants with the help of international facilitators and guests will develop their visions about the future of Kaunas into concrete strategies.
You can to download Breakthrough Cities – a groundbreaking report on how cities can mobilise creativity and knowledge to tackle compelling social challenges. The report provides a unique resource for anyone working in the field of city policy –
policy makers, consultants, public employees, workers in the arts or education sectors, NGOs, or simply private individuals committed to improving city lives.
Download the report
Visit the Creative Cities website to find out more.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR PARTNERSHIPS
Increase your company's profile and brand awareness by becoming a partner and/or sponsor of the Creative Cities activities in Lithuania. The project provides a perfect opportunity to consolidate existing relationships, get involved in social innovation, build a reputation of a socially responsible business and establish new contacts.
For more information, please contact Vilma Bačkiūtė, Partnerships and Projects Manager, British Council (email: Vilma.Backiute@britishcouncil.lt, tel.: +370 5 264 4890, +370 687 46600).
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