Regions and cities have used 1.7% of structural funds budget for the period 2007-2013 to support culture and creative industries (CCIs), either to promote cultural heritage and tourism, to revitalise local economies or to enhance sustainable urban development.

LABKULTUR.TV monitors, accompanies and promotes this change in the Ruhr region and European partner cities. LAB is the European portal for the cultural and creative industries.

Despite the current gloom and doom, Europe has many reason for optimism and the cultural sector is a reservoir of hope, ideas and new economic growth, write Uffe Elbæk, Danish Minister for Culture, and Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.

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Berlin has published the results of the Culture and Creative Index-Survey a new indicator for the business climate of Berlins cultural industries. More than 1000 artists, creatives and entrepreneurs responded to the questions and expressed their opinion on the current business situation and the expectations for the future.

It is with a growing concern that we observe plans for the exclusion of culture from draft versions of the EU cohesion policy for 2014-2020. While the provisions concerning the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund refer to the protection of cultural heritage, they fail to mention the development of cultural infrastructure, culture industries and cultural education. Compared to the current budgetary perspective it is certainly regressive.

Europe needs more entrepreneurs, more innovation and more jobs. One important aspect is to mach the offer and the demand in the labor market providing the right skills and education.

23 Novembder 2011

Thousands of people working in cinema, TV, culture, music, performing arts, heritage and related areas would benefit from increased EU support under the new 'Creative Europe' programme unveiled by the European Commission today. With a proposed budget of €1.8 billion for the period 2014-2020, it would be a much-needed boost for the cultural and creative industries, which are a major source of jobs and growth in Europe.

The study "Open Innovation in Europe: effects, determinants and policy" has been made public on 8th September 2011. The study provides novel insights into open innovation and tackles the concept as a multi-dimensional phenomenon rather than a singular best practice.

Over 2.000 guests visited the Wilhelm Wagenfeld Haus during the Long Night of Museums and enjoyed a multifaceted programme with guided tours through the exhibition “Ein Stoff für alle Fälle – Kunststoffdesign im 20. Jahrhundert” which deals with the 20th century’s development of design related materials.