Eurocities group meets in Nottingham

Representatives from 30 of Europe’s major cities will descend on Nottingham Trent University today for the inaugural Eurocities working group on culture and creative industries for creative cities.

The group aims to develop the best environment for cities to attract creative industries, promote their interaction and increase their attractiveness and competitiveness.

It has been established by Eurocities, a network that brings together local governments of European cities to share knowledge and ideas, analyse common problems and develop innovative ideas.

Nottingham has been the chair of the Eurocities Culture Forum since 2006, and lobbied for the setting-up of the new working group to showcase the economic and social importance of the creative sector in European cities.

Councillor Malcolm Wood, chair of the Eurocities Culture Forum, and Nottingham’s corporate director of community and culture Michael Williams will open the conference in the university’s Bonington Building, which is home to its School of Art and Design.

Members will hear about the university’s work to support the city’s creative industries.

The working group will aim to provide a range of benefits including new forms of access to financial resources, access to business support, training and entrepreneurialism and new projects and collaborations. It will also draft a policy paper on cities’ recommendations for EU policies on the development of the creative industries for use in lobbying the European Commission and national governments.

For more information on Eurocities, visit http://www.eurocities.eu.