Project Updates: Capacity Program, Knowledge Labs & StartUp-Booster Program
Project Updates: Capacity Program, Knowledge Labs & StartUp-Booster Program

Project Updates: Capacity Program, Knowledge Labs & StartUp-Booster Program

From planning to piloting, CreaTech is coming to life!

In this issue, we bring you exciting updates on the launch of our Capacity Building Program, the release of the Knowledge Lab Toolkit, and the launch of the Start-Up Booster Program. These milestones mark a significant step in empowering Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to become engines of innovation in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs).
Funded by the EIT HEI Initiative, CreaTech continues to bridge education, research, and industry, equipping HEI staff and students with the tools to lead the green, digital, and creative transformation across Europe’s cultural sector.


We are excited to officially announce the start of the Capacity Building Program (CBP) – a key milestone of the CREATECH project designed to empower academic and administrative staff from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) engaged in cultural and creative innovation.

The program involves the active participation of: University of Tirana, National Research Council, AAB College, University of Bedfordshire, Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI), University of Patras and Lascò.

The CBP is built to:

  • Provide participants with entrepreneurial, digital, cross-cutting, and sustainability-related skills.
  • Foster a challenge-based and collaborative mindset to solve real-world issues in education and society.
  • Encourage institutional transformation by enabling staff to become change-makers within their universities.

The training consists of four thematic modules for a total of 55 hours, combining core training, optional content, and mentoring support. The key areas covered are:

Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs)

  • Digital Trends, Tools, and Storytelling
  • Sustainability, Inclusion, and Social Impact in CCIs
  • Soft Skills for Cultural and Creative Innovation

The CBP adopts a flexible and dynamic learning model:

Hybrid format with asynchronous video lectures and live sessions (online and onsite); Project-       based and challenge-oriented learning methods; Real-world case studies, teamwork, and mentorship; Peer-to-peer and interinstitutional collaboration across HEIs.

Why Participate?

This is more than just a training course. It’s a unique opportunity to reshape your role in higher education, promote a culture of innovation, and contribute to the growth of cultural and creative industries across Europe and beyond.

When Do We Start?

The registration to CBP opened on 29th September 2025.


AAB College has successfully finalised and delivered the Knowledge Lab Toolkit & Instructional Material. The document provides a well-structured blueprint that includes training modules, mentorship frameworks, and assessment tools, offering practical guidance for equipping students, educators, and creative professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses and creative ventures.

By integrating academic knowledge with industry practice, the Knowledge Labs serve as collaborative spaces where innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship intersect. This milestone marks an important step in strengthening the role of HEIs in regional innovation ecosystems. The ultimate goal is to foster long-term collaboration between universities, industry, policymakers, and local communities, while also promoting digital transformation, sustainability, and inclusivity within the cultural and creative sectors.



EMUNI University has launched the CreaTech Start-Up Booster Programme, a key initiative designed to support young entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative industries.


EMUNI highlighted the activities and the broader goals of the CreaTech project at two international scientific conferences: 

1. The MakeLearn, TIIM & PIConf Conference, held from 21 to 24 May 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. You can find more in the conference proceeding pages 31 - 33 in this document. 

2. The EM-HERI 2025 Conference, hosted by EMUNI in Piran, Slovenia on 12 and 13 June 2025. 

These presentations enhanced the project’s international recognition and created valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration, supporting innovation in the cultural and creative industries.








The CreaTech consortium will meet in person for the 2nd Consortium Meeting on October 14–15 2025, in beautiful Naples, Italy.

The two-day meeting will bring together all project partners to reflect on the progress of key Work Packages, evaluate pilot activities, and strategize for the months ahead. Key sessions will focus on:

Reviewing achievements and upcoming priorities for the Capacity Building Program (WP3),

  • Updates from the Knowledge Labs and Innovation Activities (WP4),
  • Progress on the Start-Up Booster Program (WP6),
  • Communication and dissemination efforts (WP2),
  • Risk management, KPIs, and project coordination (WP1).

The meeting will provide an important opportunity to share lessons learned, strengthen collaboration, and align on the roadmap toward CreaTech’s long-term impact.