Nordic Co-operation for the development of creative industries
The creative industries represent one of the largest and fastest growing areas of the total global economy. There is no doubt that the creative industries are already strong sectors but they have an even greater growth potential. Active joint Nordic development and policy work is needed for the Nordic region to be able to profile itself as a leader in creative industries.
- Photographer
- Magnus Fröderberg/norden.org
What are the creative industries?
The concept of the creative industries refers to those activities which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent, and which have the potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property.
Consequently, these have been taken to include the following thirteen key sectors: advertising, architecture, art and antiques, crafts, designer fashion, film, interactive computer games, music, the performing arts, publishing, software and television and radio.
KreaNord
Nordic co-operation in the creative industries started in 2008. For the first time the business and cultural sectors are working together and this co-operation is channelled through a cross-sectoral working group KreaNord.
The working group consists of members of the ministries and authorities in the Nordic countries and the .
KreaNord is a meeting point for experiences, knowledge and vision for growth spanning both the business and cultural sectors.
KreaNord contributes to an improved co-ordination between the Nordic countries and has taken its starting point in A Creative Economy Green Paper for the Nordic Region [pdf].
The group's activities are focused on four areas:
- Network activities
- Growth initiatives
- Policy recommendations
- Profile activities
The working group cannot work successfully without direct input from the Nordic creative players, so a broad reference group has been attached to KreaNord's work. The reference group will help to define the activities and ensure national priorities to achieve sustainable development work and long-term collaboration. KreaNord works closely with Nordic industry associations such as, for example, Nordic Film & TV Fund, the Nordic Game Program, Nordic Music export and other industry associations which are or are aiming to be organised at a Nordic level.
KreaNord is part of the Nordic Council of Ministers' globalisation work, which was started on the initiative of the Nordic prime ministers.
Nordic Co-operation
The Nordic governments’ co-operation in the creative industries is led by the Nordic ministers for culture and trade. The Committees of Senior Officials for cultural and trade manage the practical work.
The Nordic parliaments' co-operation in the area of creative industries is driven in co-operation with the trade, culture and education committees.
KreaNord's policy recommendations
The trade and culture ministers decided in the autumn of 2010 that the Nordic countries would work in the following policy areas:
1) To promote strategic co-operation and exchanges in the Nordic cultural and creative industries and with other sectors for value creation, innovation and growth
2) To promote new opportunities for access to global markets, funding and attracting foreign investors to the Nordic cultural and creative industries
3) To promote culture and creativity on all levels of education in the Region and to promote entrepreneurship and business competencies in cultural and artistic education
4) To establish a cultural market by developing competencies across the Region to strengthen the distribution arena for Nordic cultural and creative products and services.
