Edition: Matera, Italy (2025)

Dates: October 26 – November 2, 2025

Location: Matera, Italy

Working Language: English

Application Deadline: August 11, 2025 at 5PM CEST

About This Edition

The second edition of CREAPOLIS will take place in Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage city that has transformed cultural heritage into a driver of local innovation. Hosted by Materahub—a leading organization in creative entrepreneurship and cross-sector collaboration—this edition offers participants direct access to methodologies that power creative hubs, public-private cooperation, and community-led development.

With a focus on post-war recovery and regional revitalization, participants will explore how innovative strategies from Southern Italy can be adapted to the Ukrainian context. 

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.

This edition is organized in collaboration with Consorzio 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.

What Participants Can Expect

• A one-week, immersive, hands-on experience in Matera
• Practical tools and collaborative methodologies
• Exchange with local experts and European peers
• Inspiration for Ukraine’s recovery and future
• Access to a European network for continued cooperation
• All travel, accommodation, and programme costs are covered.

How to Apply

We welcome applications from experienced Ukrainian professionals engaged in community and civic development through culture, education, innovation, or entrepreneurship. This includes:

• Civil servants and local policymakers
• Educators, researchers, and social innovators
• Cultural and creative entrepreneurs
• Community organizers and local development actors

Tell us about your background, your current work, and why you wish to take part in CREAPOLIS. Applicants should demonstrate clear motivation, relevant experience, and a commitment to applying insights from CREAPOLIS to their local Ukrainian context. 

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.

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.

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.