The main project objective was to innovate the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) in partner countries, supporting business creation, innovation and growth by taking advantage of blockchain technology and in particular NFTs (Non- Fungible Tokens). To do this, the project aimed to achieve the following concrete objectives: - To improve knowledge, skills and competencies of workers in Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) on how to properly access, use and integrate NFTs in their work. - To improve awareness of workers in Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) on the potential of blockchain and NFTs for improving the resilience and opportunities of the Culture and Creative Sectors
In 2020, the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) contributed 4.4% to the EU's GDP, with revenues of €643 billion and an added value of €253 billion, employing over 7.6 million people, more than the telecommunications sector (EC, 2023). However, the pandemic significantly impacted the sector, with a 30% drop in turnover (almost €200 billion) between 2019 and 2020 (EY, 2021). To recover, CCIs must embrace digital transformation and reach global audiences (OECD, The Culture Fix, 2022; EC, European Media and Audiovisual Action Plan, 2021). Blockchain technology, in particular, offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen CCIs by improving innovation, business growth, intellectual property protection, and fairer remuneration for artists (EU Parliament, 2019). Despite the growing digital transformation, there is a significant skills gap in the sector, particularly in digital skills, which hinders CCIs' ability to fully embrace digital technologies (OECD, The Culture Fix, 2022). The project wanted to address this gap to ensure the sector’s sustainable growth and global competitiveness.