The CREACT4MED project is pleased to announce the publication of the regional policy paper: Empowering the South Mediterranean: Building a Thriving Cultural and Creative Economy, authored by Dr. Yeganeh Forouheshfar, Senior Researcher at the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association.

The first of four pillars of the CREACT4MED project is Mapping where we have identified the key figures, actors, initiatives, cultural infrastructures, opportunities and obstacles in each of the target countries, with a view to uncovering and raising awareness of unexploited entrepreneurship and employment opportunities and developing appropriate support initiatives and policy recommendations.

This paper aims to unlock the creative potential of the South Mediterranean region, by proposing a comprehensive set of policy recommendations for building a thriving CCI ecosystem that fuels economic growth, empowers artists and enriches the cultural landscape of the South Mediterranean. These recommendations take three global approaches: mainstreaming creativity, building an enabling environment and enhancing job quality for creative professionals. The paper starts with an overview of the literature, with the second section providing a definition of CCI. The third section provides an overview of the various contributions of CCI to the economy and society. The fourth section highlights the distinctive features of employment in CCI. The fifth section is dedicated to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in their implication and potential threats for creative workers. The sixth section dives into the context of CCI in the South Mediterranean region. Section seven presents the set of policy recommendations and finally concludes.

CREACT4MED is a project funded by the EU through the EuropeAid Programme, which aims to strengthen businesses with the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). It seeks to support entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs, create jobs, and foster sustainable economic growth in the Southern Mediterranean, with a particular focus on young people and women. It is led by the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA) (Coordinator).