About ekip

The ekip collaborative platform deals with complex innovation processes involving many stakeholders. Collaborative innovation policies are crucial for the CCIs to thrive, but also to be able to successfully address big challenges like the Green Deal, Digital transformation, and Inclusion. Research shows that involving people early and consistently leads to better results. ekip’s approach is based on open innovation principles, aiming to provide evidence-based policy suggestions while involving broard stakeholder groups.

We aim to create a strong network of networks across Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs) in Europe and beyond, focusing on open innovation. This network will follow open innovation principles, making collaboration, learning, and scaling easier and faster. It will include diverse members and contribute to data collection and policy development. Ultimately, we aim to establish an inclusive pan-European network involving both CCIs and other sectors.

To achieve this, we’ll target specific policy areas using the “ekip engine” where tailored co-creation will create engagement strategies. Our goals are to increase awareness, educate stakeholders, gather feedback, facilitate dialogue, influence decision-making, and empower stakeholders to participate in policy-making for positive societal change.

Let’s take a closer look at the ekip engine. This model develops innovation policy iteratively with local and regional stakeholders. It ensures outcomes that meet their specific demands precisely. The model is based on the Open Innovation philosophy and involves collaborative processes.

The ekip engine’s steps are clustered into three main activities: (i) Identifying, Prioritizing, and Investigating policy areas, (ii) Formulating policies (including trials in real-life situations), and (iii) Outreach.

In the first step, potential policy areas are identified through various methods of data collection, social listening, and policy corners*. These areas are prioritized based on urgency and diversity, focusing on issues like green initiatives, digital transitions, and inclusion.

In the next step, specific policy challenges are tackled, and recommendations are formulated through inclusive, interdisciplinary policy labs. These recommendations are alos demonstrated in city ecosystems giving tangible recommendations also on how to implement the policies as tools for innovation.

Finally, the formulated policy recommendations are shared through the ekip Observatory and Knowledbank, and alos through arrangements and participatina at various events acoss Europe.

*a plug in module for community dialogue developed by ekip