17 and 18 September 2024
Venue: Music Centre Montenegro, Podgorica
Based on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Culture and Media of Montenegro and the British Council, and as a continuation of the initiative launched at the “Montenegro Creative Forum – A Step Forward” Conference at the Music Centre of Montenegro, we will be launching our collaboration through Creative Encounters in Podgorica – an event aimed at supporting the creative sector in defining key priorities for the upcoming period.
This event will take the form of a work meeting and consultations rather than a conference, and it will cover comprehensive topics concerning all sectors within the creative economy. Among other things, discussions will be held on the subject of technological innovations and the adoption of new (digital) skills, which in recent years have enabled numerous sector professionals to generate income from their creative work across a broader economic area and become more competitive on an international level, in addition to their artistic expression.
In this context, significant attention will be directed towards creative hubs. The Government of Montenegro has recently invested in the construction of six new hubs, three of which are already open. Therefore, besides traditional spaces such as galleries or theatres, the focus is on creating new spaces for new forms of creative engagement, making it crucial to address how these spaces will look and how they will be used.
Finally, Creative Encounters in Podgorica will also cover the very concept of the creative economy and whether its development may threaten artistic creation itself.
During this two-day event, which will take place on 17 and 18 September, participants will be joined by their UK colleagues, selected for the event by our implementing partner – the Beyond Conference, the leading platform for creative industries in the UK. In addition to discussing their work, they will be covering concepts surrounding the creative economy in the UK and the latest trends in this field. There will also be presentations on best sector examples from Montenegro and the UK, followed by group work on topics such as hubs, digital skills and innovations, new ways of promoting the Montenegrin creative scene and cultural heritage, as well as promoting Montenegro as an attractive location for film production and festival organisation. Each working group will aim to define 10 priorities for their given topic, while on the second day, during a joint session, participants will agree on formulating 10 priorities for the entire field.
Participation in the working groups will be open to all, with registration available via the British Council website. Those interested in presenting their projects will also be able to apply via our website.
British Council’s Creative Economy Programme in the Western Balkans
Globally, our Creative Economy programme focuses on policy, research, and advocacy of the sector, and on capacity building for creative professionals and policymakers. We build networks and support collaboration for long-term impact, mutual benefit, and greater international understanding. By working with policymakers, we support their work at a strategic level, ensuring the conditions are in place for creative individuals and organisations to grow, reach their potential and make a relevant, sustainable change.
In the Western Balkans, these goals are achieved through two main activities: sector development events and exposure to UK expertise through delegations. Our principal approach in the field is to act as a facilitator in a) particular sectors (gaming, film and music industries, design, fashion, cultural heritage creative economy…), b) intersectoral dialogues and c) policy development efforts through engaging with decision and policymakers (ministries, various relevant government and sector agencies, local authorities, chambers of commerce, and tourist organisations).
Sector development events are, by default, delivered within the existing and emerging platforms in the WB (creative economy conferences, sector-specific gatherings, and festivals). Through these events, we are supporting sector development by exposure to UK practices and participation of UK experts in relevant fields. Additionally, these events are used for sector representatives to build networks locally, regionally and with the UK, with the aim of defining sector needs on the policy level.
Our long-term goal is the establishment of a joint approach to the field by all six countries in the Western Balkans and reconciliation in this politically divided region.
You can access the registration links below.
Link for participants registration:
Link for presentations registration: