International collaboration to advance technological skills in the creative industries

Representatives of the project partners from Italy, Poland and Germany took part in the meeting. Warsaw University of Technology was represented on site by Krzysztof Mieszkowski (CEZAMAT). Members of the research team who joined remotely included: Prof. Katarzyna Rostek (Faculty of Management), Prof. Aldona Kluczek (Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering), Dr Justyna Smagowicz (Faculty of Management) and Dr Bartłomiej Gładysz (Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering).

The ECLECTIC‑CE project addresses key development challenges faced by regions in Central Europe, where the creative sector holds significant economic potential but often does not fully exploit the opportunities offered by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics and immersive technologies. The aim of the project is to strengthen the technological competencies of employees and students connected with the cultural and creative industries, as well as to enhance cooperation between this sector and providers of advanced technologies.

Inauguration

During the first day of the meeting, the partners presented their institutions and outlined the planned project activities. The project management structure, work plan and the main actions within the work packages were also introduced. Particular attention was given to the pilot activities, which will be carried out in the three partner countries and will include testing new training programmes and cooperation models between the creative sector and technology providers.

During the second day, the project’s Steering Committee convened to discuss the principles of project management, progress monitoring, as well as financial and reporting procedures. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and showcase good practices in cooperation between academia, business and public institutions.

The project involves five partners: the Padova Chamber of Commerce (project leader), the Veneto Region, Warsaw University of Technology, the Polish Chamber of Commerce and Hochschule Wismar – University of Applied Sciences. The total project budget amounts to nearly EUR 0.8 million, 80% of which is co-funded by the Interreg Central Europe 2021–2027 Programme.

Project objectives and tasks

The Warsaw University of Technology team is responsible for, among other tasks, conducting analyses of the technological needs of the creative sector in the Mazovia region, codeveloping a strategy for strengthening technological competencies, and testing training programmes for students. As part of the project, students will develop skills related to the use of advanced technologies in the operations of creative industry enterprises, and the results of the pilot activities will be used to update educational curricula.

The project will result in the development of a joint strategy for enhancing technological competencies in this sector, the preparation of new training modules, and the creation of a cooperation model between the creative industries and technology providers in Central Europe.

The project will run for 24 months, and its outcomes will be used by educational institutions, entrepreneurship support organisations and creative sector entities in the partner countries.