Edition: Matera, Italy (2025)
Creative entrepreneurship and social innovation to stimulate sustainable development
Dates: October 27 – October 31, 2025
Location: Matera, Italy
Working Language: English
The second edition of CREAPOLIS took place in Matera, Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage city widely recognised for transforming cultural heritage into a catalyst for local innovation and community-led development. Hosted by Consorzio Materahub, a leading organisation in creative entrepreneurship and cross-sector collaboration, the programme offered 18 Ukrainian professionals a week-long immersion into Matera’s creative ecosystem and the methodologies that have shaped its long-term transformation.
Taking place against the backdrop of the ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine, the 2025 edition focused particularly on questions of post-war recovery, regional revitalisation, and the role of culture and creativity in rebuilding social cohesion and community resilience.
Located in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, Matera is a medium-sized city that has successfully mobilized creativity and innovation as drivers of local development. Despite its geographic and economic peripherality, Matera has redefined its trajectory through strong community engagement, cultural entrepreneurship, and international collaboration—especially following its designation as European Capital of Culture in 2019.
Programme Focus
Over five days, participants explored how creative and cultural practices can contribute to sustainable and inclusive development, with a particular emphasis on their relevance for Ukrainian cities and communities.
Key thematic areas included:
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Creative hubs as engines for local collaboration and resilience
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Business models and funding pathways for creative and social entrepreneurship
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Cultural heritage and tourism innovation as tools for community activation
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Social innovation, civic engagement, and citizen-led initiatives
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European cooperation as a long-term strategy for regional transformation
These themes were approached through a combination of workshops, mentoring sessions, field visits, peer-to-peer exchange, and the application of the Creative Project Canvas methodology developed by Materahub.
What the Programme Offered
Participants took part in a one-week immersive, hands-on experience, structured around practical learning and direct engagement with local actors. The programme included:
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Workshops and facilitated sessions led by Materahub’s team of experts
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Site visits to creative hubs, social enterprises, and heritage-based initiatives
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Peer-learning moments within the Ukrainian cohort
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Individual and group work using applied tools and methodologies
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Daily reflection sessions and joint discussions on transferability to the Ukrainian context
Throughout the week, the cohort explored how Matera’s approaches to culture, creativity, and collaboration might inspire new ideas, partnerships, and local initiatives at home.
Participants
The edition brought together 18 professionals from across Ukraine, representing:
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public institutions and policy bodies
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cultural heritage and museum organisations
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creative industries and entrepreneurship
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civil society organisations
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education and research
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urban development and community regeneration
The diversity of the group contributed significantly to the depth of the dialogue and the richness of the collective learning.
Latest News
The Place
Matera, located in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, is a medium-sized city that has successfully mobilised creativity and innovation as drivers of local development. Despite its geographic and economic peripherality, Matera has redefined its trajectory through strong community engagement, cultural entrepreneurship, and international collaboration — notably catalysed by its experience as European Capital of Culture in 2019.
Our Local Host
This edition is organized in collaboration with Consorzio Materahub (Materahub), a leading organization that leverages innovation, and cross-sector entrepreneurship to foster community activation and regional growth. Materahub has been instrumental in reimagining local development strategies, mobilizing local assets, and building international partnerships to overcome systemic constraints.
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.