Brussels, February 12, 2025 – JA Europe hosted the Pan-European Ecosystem Forum today as part of the Cultural BEES project funded by Creative Europe project. The Pan European Ecosystem Forum brought together a diverse range of stakeholders from the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) sector, sharing insights and best practices, exchanging ideas and co-creating solutions for the future of youth entrepreneurship within CCI.
Bringing together professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and educators to discuss emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in the CCI and CH sector, the Forum focused on empowering the next generation of creative leaders.
Diana Filip, Deputy CEO & Chief Development Officer of JA Europe, said “Youth entrepreneurship is key to the future of the Cultural and Creative Industries. Today’s discussions reinforced the need for collaboration between industry, policymakers, and educators to create new opportunities for young creatives. Through the Cultural BEES project, we are empowering young talents to ‘BEE the change’- to transform their ideas into impactful businesses that shape the future of CCI.”
Ilona Lelonek Husting, Team Leader for Creative Industries and Creative Economy at DG GROW, European Commission said “Our aim is to support entrepreneurship and address challenges ahead us. We believe that the creative sector is a really dynamic sector. The CCI sector is recognized as an industrial ecosystem under the EU Industrial strategy and skills is an integral part with main focus on the digitalization and sustainability of the cultural and creative sector”.
Constantinos Georgiou, General Coordinator of Entrepreneurship Committee and Expert for Entrepreneurship of the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth said “It is essential to consider cultural heritage as a pillar of the societal economy. We should pave the way of a new generation of skills and create professionals in cultural and creative industries. I am confident that opportunities for young people will effectively been expanding in the cultural and creative industries supporting the professional and personal development. We should learn from each other and inspire young visioners in the cultural and creative sector.”
The panel discussion on the topic “ Emerging Trends and Opportunities in the CCI sector” has been moderated by Diana Filip, Deputy CEO & Chief Development Officer of JA Europe with the following panellists Marco Acri, Cultural Heritage Studies Coordinator in University of Nova Gorica, Antigoni Komodiki CEO of JA Cyprus, Rolf Hughes, Education Director of EIT Culture & Creativity and Stavros Kyriakides , Cultural Entrepreneur adnd Director Kyriakides Piano Gallery.
Moreover, through interactive sessions participants exchanged creative ideas and co-created solutions for a brighter future in the sector. Key challenges have been addressed and participants brainstormed on how the CCI sector can become more inclusive, sustainable and accessible, how it can engage more youth and how it can integrate AI innovation.
About Cultural BEES
Cultural BEES is a Creative Europe project funded by European Commission aiming to develop and implement a training program and digital toolkit that support the promotion of entrepreneurship skills in the Cultural and Creative Industry among youth. Within the project, it is planned to carry out large-scale piloting of the developed methodology, including the training of 1000 students at secondary and tertiary level education in 3 European countries (Cyprus, Bulgaria and Italy).
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About JA Europe
JA Europe is the largest and leading organisation in Europe dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed. For over 100 years, JA Worldwide has delivered hands-on, experiential learning in entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial health. In the last school year, the JA Europe network in over 40 countries provided close to 7 million learning experiences for youth in online, in person and blended formats with the support of nearly 110,000 teachers and almost 90,000 business volunteers. In 2025, JA Worldwide was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, the fourth nomination in four years.
