Creativity Rises Opportunities for Partnership

The CROP project aimed to enhance the relevance and local impact of Higher Education (HE) by creating an innovative bridge with the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). The objectives included...

The CROP project aimed to enhance the relevance and local impact of Higher Education (HE) by creating an innovative bridge with the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). The objectives included mapping and analyzing local ecosystems to identify and validate six key “Glocal Challenges” faced by CCIs in partner regions, ensuring the project addressed real-world needs. It also aimed to design and launch a professional European specialization course's program, PICC (Project Innovation and Cultural Creativity), introducing innovative teaching practices to participating universities. Another key goal was to equip Arts and Humanities graduates with entrepreneurial, digital, and green skills for sustainable career development, enabling them to tackle complex cultural and societal issues. The project sought to foster long-term collaboration between HEIs and CCI stakeholders, where both co-define training needs and collaborate on applied, challenge-based projects with students. Finally, CROP aimed to demonstrate the value of transdisciplinary and experiential learning, setting a model for future HE initiatives across Europe and aligning with New European Bauhaus principles.

The CROP project was implemented through four Work Packages (WPs), supported by strong management under WP.. WP2 focused on Glocal Challenge Identification, with extensive stakeholder mapping of CCIs and HEIs in Portugal and Finland. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected to identify emerging needs among CCI stakeholders, resulting in the validation of six “Glocal Challenges” by the Scientific Committee, forming the basis for the Master’s curriculum. WP3 focused on Training content Development and Delivery, resulting in the PICC European Specialization course’s programme (6-month, 30 ECTS), centred on multidisciplinary and experiential learning, integrating entrepreneurial, digital, and green skills. A Moodle-based LMS platform hosted the course materials, and 37 students were selected to work in transdisciplinary teams with local stakeholders on project-based work. Full academic credit recognition (ECTS) were provided. In the end 12 got the final certificate ffor the 30ECTs completed all modules and the team work project. WP4 focused on Dissemination, developing the Dissemination Plan and visual identity, organizing project events, and managing the online presence (website and social media) to maximise outreach.

The CROP project produced key outputs across its Work Packages (WPs). In WP1, detailed Management and Quality Plans were created. WP2 focused on research, including stakeholder mapping in Portugal and Finland, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis through interviews, which identified emerging needs. Six critical "Glocal Challenges" were selected. In WP3, the PICC (Project Innovation and Cultural Creativity) European Specialization course's program was designed as a 6-month, 30 ECTS course. A Moodle-based e-learning platform was developed, and the course was delivered to 37 students who worked in transdisciplinary teams with local stakeholders on applied projects. WP4 covered communication and dissemination, producing a Dissemination Plan and Visual Identity (logo and branding). A digital presence was established with a dedicated website and active social media channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook), delivering 25 articles. Three key events were held: the Engagement Event (Porto), PICC Publicization Event (Finland), and Final Conference (Porto).Moreover, satellite on-site and online events were organised to reach the KPI’s.