We are about to enter a new phase of the Cultural BEES project, organized by JA Bulgaria and supported by the European Union. Following the initial step of mapping the creative industries in the country, this fall we are about to start involving them in the development of educational materials for young entrepreneurs in the creative and cultural industries (CCI).
The project spans several European countries and is being developed by a consortium comprised of JA Bulgaria, JA Cyprus, JA Italy, Isola Catania, University of Economics Varna, University of Nova Gorica, Matera Hub, and others.
In the spring, JA Bulgaria and the University of Economics, Varna conducted a survey to map the national CCI ecosystem and its attitudes and shared the survey results with the consortium partners.
At this phase of the project, the Cultural BEES partners will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current and future skills needed for professionals in the CCI sector. It aims to identify essential digital and transversal skills crucial for success in this industry. Engaging key stakeholders through ecosystem forums is another priority, fostering discussions and collaboration within the CCI community.
The results, collected between May and July 2024, are going to be presented in the Cultural BEES Forum Report. That detailed report will help identify the priority skills for training target groups, such as 15-18-year-old students and young people aged 18-30. These findings will provide the foundation for developing the Cultural BEES training curriculum in the next work package, ensuring alignment with CCI sector needs.
NATIONAL ECOSYSTEM FORUM OVERVIEW
On March 1, 2024, the first national forum for Bulgaria the took place.
In the cozy and casual space on the second floor of the Regional Center for Contemporary Arts “Toplocentrala”, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, NGOs, students from the Training Company gathered to work on equipping 15-30-year-old young people with the necessary skills, knowledge and tools for a successful career in the field of cultural and creative industries.
What sparks a young graduate’s interest in a creative industry career? What skills do they need to step into this vibrant field? Can cherished cultural heritage—folk dances, ancestral stories—be preserved and evolved using entrepreneurial methods? These were some of the thought-provoking questions that animated discussions at the recent national forum in Bulgaria organized for the Cultural BEES project.
The forum laid the groundwork for further action: collecting insights directly from the community. With the expertise of Prof. Genka Rafailova from the University of Economics in Varna and Elena Nikolova from Beyond, two tailored surveys were developed—one targeting professionals in the cultural and creative industries and the other designed for students and young people. These questionnaires aim to capture a snapshot of attitudes and needs across the sector.
The journey continued on April 19 at the Regional History Museum in Varna, where Prof. Rafailova introduced the project and posed critical questions for reflection:
- How can entrepreneurial approaches support sustainable growth in the cultural heritage sector?
- What skills, knowledge, and tools are essential for driving entrepreneurial initiatives in this space?
- What barriers need to be addressed to make cultural heritage an attractive career path for young people while ensuring its sustainability through private or public-private initiatives?
The insights gathered from these activities will feed into the Cultural BEES ecosystem mapping and be included in a comprehensive Forum Report available here on our Project Website. These findings will help shape training programs for young entrepreneurs, ensuring the next generation of professionals is equipped with the skills and tools needed to thrive.
Let’s work together to transform cultural heritage into a thriving, innovative sector—preserving its essence while boldly taking it into the future. Keep an eye on the Cultural BEES initiative for more updates and opportunities to contribute!
You can learn more about the Cultural BEES project, conducted by JA and funded by the EU, here: https://jabulgaria.org/bg/blog/proekti/noviiat-ni-proekt-cultural-bees-postavia-fokusa-vurhu-kulturnoto-nasledstvo
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[AD2]in the creative and cultural industries (CCI).
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