
What is CREAPOLIS?
Empowering Ukraine’s local leaders through immersive learning.
Connecting innovation, civic action, and cultural resilience.
Shaping sustainable futures through cross-border collaboration.
Launched in response to the war in Ukraine, widespread societal disruption, and the urgent need for sustainable recovery, Creapolis is a dynamic exchange programme that connects civil society leaders, creative professionals, and public administrators from Ukraine with experienced peers across Europe.
Through immersive, hands-on learning experiences in cities that exemplify creative resilience and community-driven innovation, participants explore how culture, creativity, and civic engagement can drive inclusive economic development and democratic renewal.
Creapolis strengthens local leadership by building capacities in cross-sector collaboration, policy innovation, and project design—while promoting European values such as human rights, solidarity, and freedom of expression. The programme supports Ukraine’s long-term recovery and EU integration by equipping local actors with the tools, strategies, and networks to lead transformative change.
Each edition of Creapolis is hosted in a European city with a proven track record of leveraging creativity for social impact—from post-conflict Šibenik in Croatia to Matera in southern Italy, a hub of cultural regeneration. Initiated and supported by ERSTE Stiftung, the programme is managed by b.creative, a Brussels-based NGO specializing in creative entrepreneurship and social innovation, building on the legacy of the ERSTE Foundation’s Policy Labs.
CREAPOLIS Editions

Creapolis in Matera
Creative entrepreneurship and social innovation to stimulate sustainable development
Dates: October 26 – November 2, 2025
Location: Matera, Italy
Working Language: English
Application Deadline: August 11th, 2025 at 17:00 CEST
Local Host: Consorzio Materahub
Our Partners
ERSTE Foundation creates social, economic, and cultural infrastructure and innovation for a changing Europe. As the core shareholder of Erste Group, it secures the independent future of one of the largest financial services providers in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. The foundation empowers initiatives for change and contributes to civil society development and regional progress.

b.creative is a Brussels-based international network that supports creative entrepreneurship as a catalyst for inclusive, sustainable development and societal resilience. It promotes international cooperation through capacity building, peer learning, and the exchange of best practices. Since 2016, b.creative has organized global events and innovation challenges addressing social issues such as poverty, climate change, and social cohesion.