Creative Economy programme in the Western Balkans
The British Council is at the forefront of championing the international creative economy. Our Creative Economy programme in the Western Balkans focuses on policy, research and advocacy, and on capacity building for creative professionals and policymakers.
We build networks and nurture collaboration for long-term impact, mutual benefit and greater international understanding.
By working with policymakers, we support their work at a strategic level, ensuring that favourable conditions are in place for creative individuals and organisations to grow, realise their potential and bring forth sustainable change.
The CIM Forum is the best place to promote our ongoing activities in Montenegro and our work in the global Creative Economy strand of our Arts programme, as well as present the results of our policy research.
CIM Forum (Creative Industries and Media) Kotor
25–27 May
The Creative Forum CIM Kotor is a leading platform in promoting creativity in all aspects, fields and spheres of life, as well as the initiator of dialogue and support to the media sector.
The CIM Forum is a newly established platform and a meeting point for professionals from the creative industries sector and the media. Since its beginnings, CIM has managed to attract huge interest from professionals in the southern Adriatic region, bringing together key experts from Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia, thus becoming the most visible event in this sphere.
Similar to last year, the Forum will present leaders in both sectors such as Dragan Bjelogrlić, Zoran Kesić, Dino Radja, Miodrag Miško Ražnatović, Srdan Golubović, Srdjan Šaper, Zamurović brothers, Melkior Bašić, Marija Vićić, Feđa Štukan, Zijah Sokolović, Andrija Rusan, Nikola Novaković, Muamer Adžović, Miško Strugar, Janko Ljumović, Dubravka Drakić, Jovan Spahić, Ivan Westerveen, Irena Radović and many others.
UK Creative Economy and the Contribution of the Film Industry: Panel organised by the British Council and the Film Centre of Montenegro
27 May |10.15 at the Nikola Đurković Cultural Centre, Ulica 2, Kotor
The UK creative industries contribute significantly to the economy and the image of the country, which is considered to be one of the world leaders in the sector. Besides individuals, organisations and companies operating in the creative sector, the UK is known for its approach and the measures that the UK government is taking in order to stimulate creative economies.
The panellist John Newbigin OBE, Chair of the PEC International Advisory Council and the London Mayor’s Ambassador for the creative economy; Karen Brodie, Counterculture UK; Aleksandra Božović, Director of the Film Centre of Montenegro; and Cansu Ataman, Regional Arts Manager Wider Europe will share their thoughts on the UK’s potential, the incentives and stimulus measures for the sector, and the long-term collaboration with the Film Centre of Montenegro initiated by the British Council.
Speakers
- John Newbigin
John Newbigin OBE chairs the PEC International Advisory Council on the creative economy and is the London Mayor’s Ambassador for the creative economy. As Special Advisor to the UK Minister for Culture, he was part of the team that developed the first definition of the creative industries, adopted by the UK government in 1998, and was co-founder and first Chair of Creative England. He is Chair of the British Council’s Advisory Board for Arts and Creative Economy and is a Visiting Fellow at Goldsmiths, University of London. - Karen Brodie
Karen is a Partner at Counterculture Partnership, providing research and strategic advice to help cultural, creative and educational organisations thrive. She leads a wide range of programmes across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas, designing and developing interventions for government, industry and communities that support and grow the creative economy. Previously she held roles at the British Council, Penguin Random House and at University College London, where she oversaw the university’s flagship multidisciplinary international programme. - Aleksandra Božović
Aleksandra Božović is the Managing Director of the Film Centre of Montenegro. She has over 15 years’ experience in the film sector, having produced numerous award-winning TV commercials, as well as TV series and documentary films. Aleksandra has also managed the Cultural Centre of the city of Novi Sad (Serbia) and has organised several film festivals in both Serbia and Montenegro. - Claire de Braekeleer
Claire de Braekeleer is Regional Arts Director, Wider Europe for the British Council. She leads the strategic direction and delivery of a portfolio of cultural programmes across 15 countries, including the Western Balkans. Claire has held other leadership roles at the British Council covering arts, education, partnerships and communications, and has been based in Istanbul, Cairo and Moscow. Her background is in creative industries development, and she has an MA in Cultural and Creative Industries from King’s College London.
Creative economy policy research recommendations workshop
27 May | 14.15 at Hotel Cattaro – by invitation only
In 2021, the Film Centre of Montenegro, the main institution leading the development of the film industry, was awarded a policy research grant in order to plan further development of the creative economy in Montenegro, and especially to support the planning of strategically important skills, working in co-operation with key stakeholders – the Ministry of Education and Culture, universities and private sector. The grant focused on the policy paper, focus groups and a recommendation workshop, which will be part of the wider creative industry strategy and will support the long-term development of specialised skills.
During the process, Counterculture’s (UK) extensive expertise was used to create partnerships necessary for building the industry infrastructure, to set curricula requirements and to promote Montenegro internationally as a filming destination. The grant was supplemented with pro bono consultancy support from Northern Ireland Screen and the workshop in Kotor will be the final event of this initiative.