CREATIVE COMPANIES on THE EDGE of a MAJOR NEW TRANSNATIONAL SUPPORT PROJECT!
July 2005
The final project planning meeting of a major new transnational LEADER programme was held this week in the Buttermarket Centre in Enniskillen. Focusing on the potential of the creative industries sector, the project is a major stimulus initiative aimed at developing the potential of the creative industries sector in Counties Sligo, Leitrim & North Roscommon, and Fermanagh in close co-operation with transnational partners in Sweden.
Creative industries is a diverse and exciting sector including those involved in craft, design, fashion, software & computer services, architecture, the performing arts, advertising & P.R., publishing and the media. According to our research, it also has the potential to have close economic relationships with other sectors such as tourism, hospitality, museums and galleries, heritage and sport which will be vitally important in our regional perspective.
June Murphy, Manager, Sligo LEADER, stated, ‘Creative and craft activities can make a huge contribution to the economy of our disadvantaged rural areas and businesses. We are delighted to have secured additional funding under the European Union LEADER Transnational Action II Programme to assist creative businesses to increase sales through a wide ranging trade development programme. Just some of the programme actions are to facilitate creative ventures to
- Participate in a series of trade show events in Ireland and Sweden – Showcase Ireland and Formex 2006
- Develop on line sales capacity through a dynamic website
- Train in graphic design, digital photography, international marketing and showcasing
- Benefit from a major international marketing, branding and PR programme
In overall terms, this major project aims to
Provide a range of innovative supports to stimulate and support a self-generating and sustainable a local Creative Industries employment market in each partnership area
· Harness the individual creativity, skill and talent that are currently dormant in our areas that have the potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property
· Build on the efforts made over the past number of years in the area to build the capacity of the craft industry through a number of craft and cultural initiatives and add significant value to their efforts.
· Increase trade opportunities for this sector and to open up new markets on a cross border and international basis
· Promote collective marketing techniques and training to ensure that this is truly an added value project, enabling the networking of producers from the wider catchment area.
· It aims to build on the work carried out under previous LEADER support and to support the development of a critical mass of high quality creative industry and craft producers who will promote their products and this region on the international stage.
· Provide small scale rural businesses with specific business skills and opportunities to develop and test their products on a foreign market.
· Facilitate the exchange of business and craft methods and experiences.
A database of interested companies is currently being compiled. June called for action!. ‘We wish to hear from every individual and business with an involvement in the creative industries sector. We have a great programme which will only be as dynamic as the participants involved’. See advert for further details.
Pictured left to right: Jackie Murray, Fermanagh Crafts Consortium, Gudrun Linberg, Swedish partner, Trevor Armstrong,, Chairperson, Fermanagh LEADER, Catherine Ryan, Manager, Fermanagh LEADER, Frances Morris, Artist, June Murphy, Manager, Sligo LEADER., Shona xxxx Project Officer, Sligo LEADER, Martina Earley, Manager, Arigna LEADER, Gail McNamara, Momentum Consulting.
