Creative Net
Strengthening the creative industries
Creative and Cultural Innovation Expertise is one of the national ESF+ themes. ESF+ (European Social Fund Plus) is a financial instrument of the European Union that promotes employment, social cohesion and economic wellbeing.
During the period 2021–2027, the theme will fund projects that strengthen the creative industries and the creative economy, as well as expertise within the arts and culture sectors. Funded projects should, for example, aim to increase employment or expertise in the creative industries. Funding decisions are made by the ELY Centre for Häme.
Creative Net is the coordination project for the theme within Finland under the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike). Our goal is to assist and encourage professionals in the creative industries to apply for ESF+ funding. In addition, we support the practical work of funded projects.
Spring 2025 calls for applications
The second application round for funding under Creative and Cultural Innovation Expertise theme (ESF+) was open from 13 January to 31 March 2025.
The funding is intended to strengthen the creative industries, creative economy, and expertise within the arts and culture sectors. The call included wide-ranging expertise and innovation projects as well as smaller, one-off pilot experiment projects.
Next, the ELY Centre for Häme will assess and score the applications. According to the preliminary schedule, the funded projects will be announced during autumn 2025.
Project Manager, Creative Net
Support from the Creative Net team
The Creative Net team encourages experts in the creative industries to develop project ideas and apply for ESF+ funding.
We provide assistance to those interested in turning ideas into projects and applying for ESF+ funding. We also support projects that have already received ESF+ funding in their practical work, networking and dissemination of operating models and results.
Materials for project planning
What should be taken into consideration when planning your idea from the point of view of ESF+ funding? How can you create an impressive project plan? Creative Net has created materials for project planning.
Creative Net mailing list
Would you like to hear more about upcoming application rounds, selected projects or Creative Net events?
Creative Net LinkedIn Group
Are you interested in promoting the creative industries? Are you looking for project partners or networks? The Creative Net LinkedIn Group has been created to support networking. The group shares information about funding related to the ESF+ theme but does not provide assistance with applications.
