Inspired by: Future Skills in Creative Industries 

European industrial regions are rapidly evolving due to global economic and policy demands. Non-metropolitan areas, in particular, must adapt by fostering “future skills,” such as creativity and collaboration, which are vital for resilience. The x-Inno Radar project addresses the European Skills Agenda 2020 by promoting these soft skills in industrial contexts.

To strengthen our knowledge on soft skills and gather different perspectives and inspirations within and beyond the project, we have developed a format called „Inspired by“.

We warmly invite you to our third open session called Inspired by: Future Skills in Creative Industries. Together with two experts, we will explore how future skills and entrepreneurial mindsets can empower talents in the cultural and creative industries. Drawing on European initiatives such as CYANOTYPES and YONDERS, our discussion will highlight how creativity, learning and sustainability come together to enable long-term career paths and ventures.

What to expect?

Showcases by experts:

• Paolo Montemurro, Materahub
  Paolo will present YONDERS (YOuNg Disruptive EntRepreneurS), a fully online professional development programme by ICHEC Brussels Management School. His contribution will explore how entrepreneurial skills, future-oriented mindsets and learning-by-doing approaches can empower young people (15–24) in the cultural and creative industries. Drawing on the YONDERS experience, the showcase will highlight how digital learning environments can support sustainable career pathways and entrepreneurial ventures across Europe.

• Becky Riches, Materahub
  Becky will introduce CYANOTYPES, a European initiative focused on future skills development for the cultural and creative industries. Her showcase will highlight how CYANOTYPES addresses digital, green and societal transitions through skills frameworks, training programmes and capacity-building approaches. The presentation will reflect on how creative talents, educators and organisations can be better equipped to navigate transformation and contribute to resilient creative ecosystems.

• Interactive discussion
  Join the conversation with your questions and insights. Together, we’ll explore key learnings, practical approaches and connections between skills development, entrepreneurship and creative ecosystems.
• Takeaways for industry & beyond
  Gain fresh perspectives on how future skills, learning and entrepreneurship can support sustainable careers and innovation in the cultural and creative industries — across regions and contexts.

Who should attend?

• x-Inno Radar partners & associated partners
• Anyone interested in soft skills & industrial innovation

Why attend?

• Get inspired by concrete European approaches to developing future skills and entrepreneurial mindsets in the cultural and creative industries.
• Learn from expert showcases how learning, creativity and entrepreneurship can enable sustainable career paths and ventures across digital, green and societal transitions.
• Connect with peers and potential collaborators working on skills development, creative ecosystems and innovation support.
• Exchange ideas and discuss current and future initiatives that empower creative talents across regions and networks.

How to attend?

• Register here: Inspired by: Future Skills in Creative Industries
• Get the link: After your registration, we will send you the link for participation via email.
• Log in: The session will start on February 23, 2026 from 2:00pm until 3:30pm

Boosting industrial transition by activating soft innovation skills and stimulating pioneer spirit

Industrial regions in central Europe are amidst a heavy transformation of their economic and social base. It is especially the non-metropolitan regions who must change profoundly in response to global economic trends, political demands, and structural disadvantages. The x-Inno Radar project increases their agility and innovativeness by strengthening soft skills. The partners jointly apply a new place-based approach, which centers around transversal skills, maker skills, and pioneer skills. After regional screenings and a conceptualisation phase, they pilot novel approaches for strengthening and expanding soft skills capacities. Key findings are then transferred to relevant stakeholders throughout Europe.