IN SITU
IN SITU: Place-based innovation of cultural and creative industries in non-urban areas
01.07.2022. – 30.06.2026.
The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.
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IN SITU is a four-year project that combines research and experimental actions to advance the innovation-related practices, capacities, and potential of cultural and creative industries (CCIs) based in non-urban areas of the EU countries.
The IN SITU project goals focus on advancing knowledge of the forms, processes, and governance of innovation involving CCIs located in six non-urban areas of Europe (test sites - IN SITU Labs) and advancing the ability of nonurban CCIs to act as drivers of innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability for the locales in which they are located.
A core of the IN SITU project is the interlink between research and practice through these place-based IN SITU Labs: creative collaborative incubators – hubs for new projects, training, and networking initiatives.
The six IN SITU Labs are located in non-urban areas in countries located on the “periphery” of Europe and encompassing countries in both the south and north of Europe - Šibenik-Knin County in Croatia, the Azores archipelago of the mid-Atlantic Ocean in Portugal, Western coastal periphery in Ireland, West Region in Iceland, West Coast and Baltic Sea archipelago in Finland and Valmiera county in Latvia.
Participatory methodologies and place-based approaches inform the research to be conducted through the Labs.
Specific objectives of the project:
- To identify and quantify the socioeconomic contributions of CCIs and their social and economic spill-overs in non-urban regions across Europe.
- To elaborate the roles of place-based evolution and related activities in the trajectories and sustainable development of CCIs in peripheral places.
- To assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemicon CCIs in non-urban regions.
- To identify the innovation potential of CCIs based in non-urban areas of the EU and how CCIs act as drivers of innovation in other economic and social sectors.
- To examine the needs and resources of CCI actors in six selected non-urban areas.
- To monitor the development of 12 place-based CCI projects that embody creative responses to social, political, and environmental issues.
- To design and implement a specific programme to foster cross-sectoral connections and horizontal networks, to build new skills and capacities, and to mentor new entrepreneurial social and business models and innovation among CCIs in six selected non-urban areas.
- To assess how CCIs and cultural policies in certain places can be aligned with innovation policies and S3 (smart development) policies for non-urban regions.
- To identify possibilities and potentials for future growth of CCIs in non-urban regions across Europe, and provide strategic policy recommendations for enabling this development.
The IN SITU project consortium comprises 13 partners from 12 countries, consisting of 11 research institutions, a European-wide CCI network, and a national cultural foundation:
- Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra, Portugal (Coordinator)
- University of the Azores, Portugal
- Latvian Academy of Culture, Latvia
- Bifröst University, Iceland
- University of Galway, Ireland
- University of Turku, Finland
- Utrecht University, The Netherlands
- University of Hildesheim, Germany
- Mondragon Innovation & Knowledge, Mondragon University, Spain
- National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, France
- European Network of Cultural Centres, Belgium
- National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts “Kr. Sarafov”, Bulgaria
- Kultura Nova Foundation, Croatia
Project website: https://insituculture.eu
IN SITU Latvia Facebook website: www.facebook.com/INSITULatvia
More information:
project coordinator at the Latvian Academy of Culture Ilona Asare, tel.+371 26011102, Ilona.Asare@lka.edu.lv
IN SITU Latvia TEAM
Ilona Asare (Project coordinator)
Baiba Tjarve (Project participant)
Ieva Zemīte (Project participant)
Ilona Kunda (Project participant)
Laura Brutāne (Project participant)
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
IN SITU conference and partner meeting in Šibenik
29.09.2024.
From September 25–27, the international project IN SITU: Cultural and Creative Industry Innovations Based on the Uniqueness of Place in Non-Urban Areas held its conference in Šibenik, Croatia, titled Horizons of Sustainability: The Power of Creative Innovation for Transformation of Rural and Non-Urban Futures. During the conference, Ieva Zemīte, leading researcher at the Latvian Academy of Culture’s Institute of Culture and Arts, presented case studies on the creative industries in Valmiera. Scientific assistant Ilona Asare, along with Sabīne Vandāne, the head of the Valmiermuiža Cultural Association, introduced activities and challenges of the Valmiera district manor network. Additionally, leading researcher Ilona Kunda led the conference session Vernacular Arts, Crafts, Music, and Placemaking.
On September 28 and 29, IN SITU partners held workshops and discussions about the project's progress, communication activities, and case study monitoring. Leading researchers Ieva Zemīte, Ilona Kunda, and scientific assistants Ilona Asare and Laura Brutāne participated. The project examines the Valmiera district as one of the six selected peripheral European regions. Valmiera's data is compared with data from regions in Ireland, Portugal, Finland, Croatia, and Iceland on the contribution of the creative sector to regional development.
At the Summer Culture Academy, we shared the results of our research
20.08.2024.
During the Summer Culture Academy organized by the Continuing Education Center of the Latvian Academy of Culture, titled Challenges of Shaping Regional Cultural Life Outside Urban Centers: Cross-Border Cooperation Opportunities, IN SITU researcher Ilona Asare gave a presentation titled Challenges of the Cultural and Creative Sector in Non-Urban Areas. The presentation included insights gained so far during the research process of the IN SITU project.
Training workshops for representatives of the cultural and creative sectors
25.04.2024.
In Valmiera and online, on April 24 and 25, a series of training seminars titled Collaboration and Innovation: Promoting Creative Potential in Regions for representatives of the cultural and creative sectors was held, organized by the Latvian Academy of Culture in cooperation with the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts of Bulgaria.
Participants had the opportunity to enhance their knowledge about building collaboration, attracting European Union funding, positioning their creative offerings through storytelling, as well as improving networking skills.
On April 26, informal networking breakfasts were held at Valmiermuiža Brewery, where attendees learned about the latest developments in the Valmiera District Culture Department and the European Horizon project IN SITU: Culture and Creative Industry Innovations Based on the Uniqueness of Places in Non-Urban Areas implemented by the Latvian Academy of Culture.
Training seminars for representatives of the cultural and creative sector in Valmiera
08.04.2024
The Latvian Academy of Culture, in cooperation with the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts of Bulgaria, has prepared a series of training seminars titled Collaboration and Innovation: Promoting Creative Potential in Regions for representatives of the cultural and creative sectors. The seminars will take place in Valmiera, both in person and online, on April 24-25, 2024.
The seminars are organized as part of the international research project IN SITU: Culture and Creative Industry Innovations Based on the Uniqueness of Places in Non-Urban Areas, supported by the Horizon Europe program.
Participants will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge about building collaboration, attracting European Union funding, positioning their creative offerings through storytelling, and improving networking skills.
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Ieva Zemīte and Ilona Asare take part in the international partners' discussions at the University of Galway
22.02.2024.
From February 19-21, an international partner discussion on the innovation possibilities for the cultural and creative sector in the development of Europe’s non-urban areas took place at the University of Galway in Ireland. The discussion was attended by Ieva Zemīte, leading researcher at the LKA Institute of Culture and Arts, and Ilona Asare, research assistant.
As part of the project, there is an increased focus on studying Valmiera c
ounty, one of six selected European peripheral areas. The data from Valmiera is also being compared with data from regions in Ireland, Portugal, Finland, Croatia, and Iceland regarding the creative sector's contribution to regional development.
30 Vidzeme municipal cultural workers have completed a professional development course in cultural leadership
06.02.2024.
The Latvian Academy of Culture, in collaboration with the local governments of Cēsis, Limbaži, Smiltene, and Valmiera districts, has implemented a cultural leadership development training program designed by Dace Melbārde for 30 cultural workers from these regions, aimed at enhancing their personal and professional leadership skills.
Dace Melbārde's Cultural Leadership course was conducted as a continuation of the EU program Horizon Europe international research project IN SITU: Place-based Innovations in Cultural and Creative Industries in Non-Urban Areas, which is focused on strengthening the capacity of the cultural and creative sector in regional areas.
Available a video recording from the IN SITU webinar Creative vitality in non-urban areas?
06.12.2024.
On December 5, the final webinar of the IN SITU series Creative vitality in non-urban areas? took place online! The panel discussion was moderated by the IN SITU Latvia research team, Latvian Academy of Culture’s Institute of Culture and Arts senior researcher Ieva Zemīte!
The webinar recording is now available on the IN SITU YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHgAUDE9_cg&t=5su
Cultural workers of Vidzeme municipalities learn cultural leadership under the guidance of Dace Melbārde
20.10.2023.
The Latvian Academy of Culture, in collaboration with the local governments of Cēsis, Limbaži, Smiltene, and Valmiera districts, is implementing a cultural leadership development training program designed by Dace Melbārde for 30 cultural workers from these districts, aimed at enhancing their personal and professional leadership skills.
Dace Melbārde's Cultural Leadership course is being carried out as a continuation of the EU program Horizon Europe international research project IN SITU: Place-based Innovations in Cultural and Creative Industries in Non-Urban Areas, which focuses on strengthening the capacity of the cultural and creative sector in regional areas.
IN SITU Latvia researchers visited representatives of culture and creative industries in Valmiera
07.08.2023.
The IN SITU project team from the Latvian Academy of Culture (LKA) visited representatives of the cultural and creative industries in Valmiera – the Valmiera district manor network and the creative agriculture company LAUX!
LKA researchers will monitor the activities of both organizations over the next two years, analyzing their experiences in working towards growth and achieving their defined goals. We believe these will serve as inspiring examples of creative development in non-urban areas with the involvement of local communities on a European scale!
Valmiera region creative projects selected for further research in the international project IN SITU
17.07.2023.
The Latvian Academy of Culture, in collaboration with the European Cultural Centre Association, has conducted an evaluation of innovative initiatives submitted by organizations in Valmiera county for the creative development of non-urban areas. In line with the priorities of the announced competition, two initiatives were selected to be monitored over the next two years. The implementers of these initiatives will receive 5,000 EUR in financial support to implement and document their plans.
The two selected initiatives are the development of the Valmiera district manor network and the creation of the LAUX community, based on the garden as a functionally decorative resource.
A total of 11 cultural organizations from Valmiera county submitted their proposals, all of which will be included in the project's creative initiatives database at insituculture.eu, increasing their international visibility. These organizations will also have the opportunity to participate in training offered by the IN SITU project team, with the two selected organizations receiving additional consultations from international mentors.
The identification of creative initiatives was organized not only in Valmiera county but also in the other five European peripheral areas of the IN SITU project in Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Portugal, and Croatia. In total, 129 creative organizations submitted proposals. Two initiatives from each country were selected for further research. Descriptions of the 12 selected IN SITU initiatives can be found on the project's website: https://insituculture.eu/case-study-projects/
IN SITU international partners discuss innovation opportunities for the cultural and creative sectors in non-urban areas of Europe
31.05.2023
From May 31 to June 1, in Rauma, Finland, the international partners of the IN SITU project will discuss the possibilities of cultural and creative sector innovations for the development of non-urban areas in Europe. The leading researcher of the Institute of Culture and Arts at the Latvian Academy of Culture, Ieva Zemīte, and research assistant Ilona Asare are participating in the discussions.
In Latvia, participatory research activities on place-based innovations are being organized in Valmiera County, in collaboration with the Valmiera Municipality!
Call for information on creative projects in Valmiera for the development of the city and the region
11.05.2023
The Latvian Academy of Culture, in collaboration with the Valmiera Municipality's Cultural Department, invites representatives from the cultural and creative sectors of Valmiera county to inform about their creative initiatives by participating in the mapping of creative initiatives in non-urban areas within the framework of the international IN SITU project. Two initiatives that meet the project's priorities and are selected by the project team through a competition will receive €5000 in support for the implementation and documentation of their plans.
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A study on the socio-economic contribution and impact of cultural and creative industries in non-urban areas
03.05.23.
Under the leadership of Utrecht University, a mapping of the resilience and socio-economic contribution of European cultural and creative industries has been conducted, with conclusions summarized in a research report.
Cultural and creative sector workers are often at the center of idea creation and have contributed to the formation of innovations in other economic sectors. The first part of the study analyzes the correlation between the share of cultural and creative professions and the number of patents and trademarks in regions. The second part of the study examines how collective trademarks could be used as original and complementary indicators to other available economic and innovation indicators.
The research report is available for download at IN SITU webpage
An overview of the drivers of innovation in the cultural and creative sectors in non-urban areas
12.04.23.
The Mondragon University Research Center Innovation and Knowledge has created a report on the driving forces of innovation in the cultural and creative sector in non-urban European regions.
In preparing this report, various forms of business and organizational activities and management, value-added creation chains, and collaboration network opportunities were examined. The study is based on an analysis of relevant scientific literature, as well as quantitative data provided by Eurostat and IN SITU project partners.
The report includes examples of innovation in the cultural and creative industries from various countries around the world, including Latvia.
The report is available for download at IN SITU webpage
Latvian Academy of Culture and Valmiera Municipality Culture Board invite you to participate in the future modelling of the new cultural space KURTUVE!
06.04.2023
On 17 April at 17:30 Valmierians are invited to a brainstorming session on the future of KURTUVE as an open cultural space in line with the needs of local residents.
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Latvian Academy of Culture and Valmiera Municipality Culture Board invite to participate in discussions on the development of Valmiera's cultural and creative sector
15.03.2023
On March 27 and 28, Valmiera will host seminars on innovation opportunities for the growth of the cultural and creative sector, which are open to all those working in this field.
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Latvian Academy of Culture researchers Ilona Asare and Ieva Zemīte participate in the first meeting of the project partners at the University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada
12.10.2022
Researchers of Latvian Academy of Culture Ilona Asare and Ieva Zemīte will participate in the first project partner meeting at the University of the Azores in Ponta Delgada from October 11 to 12, where they will present the challenges of cultural and creative sector development in Valmiera Municipality and jointly plan participatory research activities for the project's laboratory areas.
Latvian Academy of Culture launches European research project on cultural and creative industries in non-urban areas
07.10.2022
Under the leadership of the Social Research Center of the University of Coimbra (Portugal), the Latvian Academy of Culture (LKA), together with 12 European universities and research centers, is launching the implementation of an international research project over the next four years, funded by the European Commission's Horizon Europe program with a budget of 4 million euros. The project IN SITU: Place-Based Cultural and Creative Industry Innovations in Non-Urban Areas aims to enhance knowledge about forms, processes, and governance of cultural and creative industry innovations, promoting the competitiveness and sustainability of various European regions.