Sofia-Charlotta Kakko and Milja Leskinen start work on Creative Net 2.0 project within Finnish Arts and Culture Agency
Sofia-Charlotta Kakko holds a master’s degree (MPhil) in Theatre and Drama Research. She has extensive experience with the European Social Fund (ESF+) and its use in the field of arts and culture in network projects of various sizes. She worked as Project Manager in the first phase of the Creative Net project in 2023–2025 and is now responsible for the overall development of the follow-up project. As Project Manager, Kakko’s duties include the strategic implementation of Creative Net 2.0 project, stakeholder collaboration and project management. Kakko works at the head office of the Finnish Arts and Culture Agency in Helsinki.
Milja Leskinen holds a master’s degree (MPhil) in Communication and Art History. She has previously worked on research, development and innovation projects and networks within the themes of exercise and wellbeing. Leskinen also has experience from the 2023–2025 Creative Net project, where she worked as Communications Specialist. Within the Creative Net 2.0 project, her task is to prepare the project's communications plan with responsibility for the corresponding communications and collection of information regarding funded projects. Leskinen works at the Jyväskylä office of the Finnish Arts and Culture Agency.
Creative Net 2.0 coordinates the national Creative and Cultural Innovation Expertise ESF+ theme. The coordination project's task is to support projects funded under the theme and monitor the implementation of the theme's national objectives. Creative Net 2.0 promotes the visibility of funded projects and the sharing of their results and best practices among actors in the creative industries.
The objective of the ESF+ theme is to respond to the skills needs in the creative industries resulting from changes in working and economic life and to bring new skills into working life. The Economic Development Centre of Southeast Finland (formerly the ELY Centre for Häme) has granted funding within the theme in 2023 and 2025 to a total of 22 projects, 20 of which are still ongoing in spring 2026.
The funded projects strengthen the skills and employment in the arts and culture sector, as well as the development of the creative sector and the creative economy. They contribute to the implementation of the Cultural Policy Report and the Creative Economy Growth Strategy. The projects focus on the development of the creative industries, for example in terms of skills, digitalisation, earnings, sustainability and cultural wellbeing.
Creative Net 2.0 is part of the Creative Economy and Livelihoods Unit of the Finnish Arts and Culture agency, which focuses on artist livelihoods, funding, and the development of the creative economy.