CINEMA

Studio Komplekt is a partner in the international project “Creative Industries for New Urban Economies in the Danube Region” (CINEMA), funded by the Danube Transnational Cooperation Program 2014-2020 (INTERREG). The implementation of the project activities started in July 2020 and will last until December 2022. 

The project focuses on the renewal and active development of abandoned urban areas, especially in the inner urban centres, as a key challenge for social cohesion and competitiveness in the Danube region. CINEMA’s goal is to overcome these challenges with the help of the creative industries and to unite local business with the creative community. Often neglected  as a result of industrial transformation, change of consumer habits and population growth in the suburban areas, these locations have enormous potential, which CINEMA seeks to unlock by activating the economic advantage of creative industries and engaging its representatives in productive dialogue and cooperation with all stakeholders.

CINEMA brings together 17 partners from 8 countries (Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Moldova), who have identified specific pilot locations in their regions in order to build a sustainable way to make inner cities lively and attractive to people. The project leader is the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, and the partnership includes municipalities, business support organizations, small and medium-sized enterprises, creative agencies and non-governmental organizations. This ensures a wide range of knowledge and experience in the joint work of the partners.

CINEMA embarks on an in-depth work in three thematic areas, all related to the main one – the revitalisation of urban areas, especially inner city areas. These are 1/ Revitalisation of empty or under-utilised floor spaces 2/Revitalisation of retail and small businesses in city centres 3/Establishment of creative industries support centres. The expected results are Roadmaps, which analyse the challenges, strengths and weaknesses and outline possible developments at each location; concepts and tools, which will be put into practice in order to test their viability in the long-term for the prosperity of the locations.

On Bulgarian side, Studio Komplekt joins forces with the Municipality of Gabrovo to work as partners in the second thematic area with a pilot location in Gabrovo – Shesti Uchastuk – a group immovable cultural property, included in the Zone with concentration of cultural and historical heritage. The first shopping street of Gabrovo is located in the area, where in the XVIII century Gabrovo craftsmen, merchants, and people of power settled. Currently, the place hosts various shops, services and cultural monuments. The main goal is to create a favourable environment for the development of retail and small business in the neighbourhood, involving the expertise of representatives of the creative industries. Our ambition as partners is to contribute to the enrichment of the area with new trade activities and creative initiatives, and to turn it into an attractive centre for residents and visitors of the city.

The total value of the project is 2,249,073.50 euros, with EU co-financing being 1,911,712.48 euros. The budget of Studio Komplekt amounts to 118,021 euros, formed by European and national co-financing, as 17,703.21 euros are provided by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

Follow more news on the project on its website or through the specially created Facebook page here.