Creative Skills Week 2026: Building Momentum for Skills, Innovation and Cooperation

More than 300 participants gathered in Brussels for this year’s Creative Skills Week, bringing together cultural and creative sector professionals, policymakers, educators and skills experts to explore the future of skills in Europe’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs).

Over three days of discussions, workshops and exchanges, participants challenged assumptions and explored key questions around cultural value, participation, diversity, artistic freedom and the conditions needed for creativity to drive lasting change. As organisers highlighted, the event focused not only on recognising the importance of culture and creativity, but also on building policy frameworks that enable people and organisations to imagine and create better futures.

Representing BEDA at the event, BEDA Board Member Isabelle Vérilhac reflected on the strong sense of collaboration across the sector:

“Three inspiring days of collective momentum: CCI stakeholders advanced skills, innovation and cooperation across Europe, shaping the future of the Creative Pact for Skills.”

A particular highlight was the progress shared by the working groups of the Creative Pact for Skills, covering topics including entrepreneurship, innovation, digital skills, the green transition, micro-credentials and regional ecosystems. The event also provided an opportunity for members of the Large-Scale Partnership for the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI LSP) to meet in person and strengthen connections across Europe.

The next phase of this work is already underway. Nearly ten regional partnerships are expected to be launched across Europe, bringing skills development, innovation and cooperation closer to local creative ecosystems and reinforcing the impact of the Pact for Skills at regional level.

For Europe’s design community, these developments matter because they help ensure designers have access to the skills, networks and support needed to innovate and thrive in a rapidly changing economy.

The message emerging from Brussels was clear: by working together across disciplines, regions and sectors, Europe’s creative community can continue to build the skills, confidence and agency needed to shape the future.

Sign the Creative Pact For Skills Manifesto and join the Pact today!