EIT Culture & Creativity is a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) that aims to strengthen and transform Europe's Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). The strategic focus areas include empowering creatives and innovators, unlocking the value of small cultural stakeholders, and harnessing the sectors' potential for Europe's Green, Digital, and Social transitions. The KIC connects creatives and organisations across Europe, fostering innovation and sustainability. The program is funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and has a significant budget for project financing. Although the exact amount for a typical project is not specified, the program supports a wide range of activities, including training entrepreneurs, powering cutting-edge ventures, and delivering innovative solutions. To receive funding, proposals must meet the EIT's evaluation criteria, which include admissibility, eligibility, and operational capacity. Recent projects and organisations financed by EIT Culture & Creativity include The Next Renaissance and the south-west co-location centre (CLC) hosted by Eurecat. The KIC has 50 members from 20 European countries, ensuring a diverse and pan-European innovation ecosystem.
EIT Culture & Creativity, a Knowledge and Innovation Community supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), can provide financial and other forms of support to the development of the European Housing Cooperative (EHC). The EHC's objectives align with EIT Culture & Creativity's goals of fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and social transformation. Specific programs that could support the co-creation of the EHC include: 1. **Action Programme 1: Talent Scaler (Call 1)** - This program focuses on developing new EIT labeled Master’s programmes that advance the European Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). The EHC could benefit from this program by integrating its goals into educational initiatives that promote sustainable and community-led housing projects. 2. **Action Programme 2: Skills Fitter (Call 2)** - This program supports the development of lifelong learning courses, which could be used to enhance the skills of professionals and practitioners involved in the EHC, particularly in areas such as entrepreneurship, sustainability, and cross-cutting competencies. Similar projects that received funding in the past include initiatives focused on innovation, business creation, and social innovation in the cultural and creative sectors. These projects often involve collaborations between academia, industry, and civil society, which aligns with the EHC's multi-stakeholder approach. EIT Culture & Creativity's funding opportunities, such as the open calls for proposals in 2023, could provide the necessary financial support for the EHC to achieve its objectives. The EHC could also benefit from the network and resources provided by EIT Culture & Creativity, including access to investors, businesses, and policymakers.