Prague, 25 September 2025 – The Cultural BEES project, co-funded by the European Union under the Creative Europe programme, took the spotlight at Creative Skills Week 2025, the EU’s flagship initiative dedicated to skills and innovation in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs).
Cultural BEES contributed to the session on Transformational Entrepreneurial Skills, exploring how entrepreneurial education can better respond to the evolving needs of the CCI sector. Represented by Antigoni Komodiki (JA Cyprus), Christina Achilleos (InnoEUsphere), and Effie Papazisi (JA Europe), the consortium presented its innovative approach to equipping young people with the skills and mindset needed to turn creativity and cultural heritage into entrepreneurial opportunities.
The session, moderated by Ruba Saleh, Lecturer at ICHEC Brussels Management School, featured four thematic discussions with multiple stakeholders. Cultural BEES made its strongest contribution within the “Youth Entrepreneurship” segment, where the team presented project results and the methodology behind the creation of two training courses—soon to be tested by a wider audience of young students.
Highlights from the Discussion
The exchange brought forward key reflections on the role of creativity, entrepreneurship, and education in empowering the next generation of cultural innovators:
- Creative entrepreneurial skills are life-changing for young people. Beyond academic knowledge, these skills build confidence, resilience, and problem-solving capacity, enabling students to create opportunities for themselves and others.
- Recognition and validation are essential. Participants underlined the importance of formal mechanisms to certify these competencies, enhancing employability and career pathways for young people.
- Soft skills and self-efficacy form the foundation. Communication, teamwork, adaptability, and belief in one’s own potential are cornerstones of both education and professional success.
- Progress is visible, but scaling up is key. While initiatives like Cultural BEES are achieving tangible results, broader efforts are needed to ensure that entrepreneurial learning in culture reaches all young people, fostering both inclusion and innovation.
About the Piloting Phase
The Cultural BEES piloting phase will be implemented in Cyprus, Italy, and Bulgaria, engaging over 1,000 secondary school students and young professionals in developing new business ideas within the cultural and creative sectors.
An interactive digital learning platform will support this process, offering:
- Training modules on creativity, entrepreneurship, and culture
- Quizzes and certification pathways for learners and teachers
- Mentoring, hackathons, and local cultural events connecting youth with industry professionals
Why It Matters
By integrating entrepreneurship education with culture, Cultural BEES helps position the cultural and creative industries as a viable and sustainable career path for young people. The project also supports fair working conditions and sustainable business models in the cultural sector—demonstrating how culture can be both heritage and an engine for Europe’s social and economic future.
