As part of the 4th STARfest – the largest event for career development of young
people in BiH, a new regional platform for the development of creative industries
– Creative Gate – was presented on 3 April 2025 in Sarajevo. This was also an
opportunity to present through Creative Gate the vision of development and
positioning of the Western Balkans as one of the main global hubs for cultural
and creative industries, as well as new paths for cooperation, growth, and
sustainability in this sector.
The presentation was attended by Siniša Šešum, Head of the UNESCO Office in
Sarajevo, Amila Karavdić, Director of Cultural Engagement, British Council in
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Renata Radeka, Coordinator of the project “Culture
and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (UNESCO), Ivan Petrović, President of
the Board of Directors of the EXIT Foundation and Jan Z. Kulenović, President of
the MUNJA Incubator.
Siniša Šešum, Head of the UNESCO Office in Sarajevo, expressed hope that
Creative Gate will become an excellent platform for creative industries in the
Western Balkans and beyond. “It will be the space where artists, audiences and
all other interested parties will be able to stay informed, collaborate and have
their online place in a safe environment,” he added.
“The role of the Creative Gate platform as a catalyst for positive changes is
crucial in creation of a richer regional cultural offer, and in creation of
opportunities for cooperation and strengthening intercultural dialogue that can
bridge divisions, promote better mutual understanding, and thus contribute to the
development of local economies. This is a space where, through culture,
technology and innovation, opportunities are created for economically
sustainable and inclusive creative environment for creative professionals and
talents of the Western Balkans”, said Amila Karavdić, Director of Cultural
Engagement, British Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Creating a safe environment and a unique space for artists, audiences and future
investors is part of the mission of the Creative Gate platform. Examples of
successful cooperation between organizations gathered around the platform so
far are a guarantee for the expected results.
“An example of excellent cooperation in the Western Balkans is the cooperation
between UNESCO and the British Council, who jointly support EXIT Foundation
in an effort to create the best conditions for attracting creative people using
contemporary methods. The goal is to make the platform a space that will help
artists strengthen their artistic power”, said Renata Radeka, Coordinator of the
project “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (UNESCO).
At a time of great social transformations and challenges, it is important to
recognize creative and intellectual capital and create preconditions for
networking and better positioning of creatives from the entire region and
contribute to their greater visibility towards potential investors.
“Creative industries, together with the ICT sector, are the greatest development
opportunity of our region, both for economic development and for retaining talent
in this region. Regional association is needed to create a favorable environment
for the further development of this very fragmented, but in total large sector”, said
Ivan Petrovic, President of the Board of Directors of EXIT Foundation at today’s
presentation of the Creative Gate platform.
The advantages of this platform should be recognized by young people aged
fifteen to thirty, who are also the first fully digital generation oriented towards the
content of this kind, i.e., products of the creative industry.
“This opens a great opportunity for some to find a job, profession, or training in
the near future, with this type of external support. Creative Gate fits into this story
as a tool that would connect the digital generation with new types of professions
in the field of creative industry”, said Jan Z. Kulenović, President of MUNJA
Incubator.
The innovative digital platform Creative Gate was launched by EXIT Foundation
and the Taksirat festival. This is part of the project “Culture and Creativity for the
Western Balkans” (CC4WBs), funded by the European Union, which aims to
strengthen the cultural and creative sectors in the region by improving dialogue
and socio-economic impact. The project is implemented by UNESCO, the British
Council, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), who are
working to create a sustainable and inclusive creative environment, recognizing
the importance of cultural heritage and innovation for regional cooperation.
