On the April 15, 16 and 17 2024, the Basque Country is set to host the Creativity World Forum (CWF24), in Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Donostia-San Sebastián—the three vibrant Basque capital cities.
This awaited gathering, the flagship event of the DC Network, invites global innovators to engage in discussions about creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Main objectives of CWF24
Update the new trends in governance and innovation in the CCIs
Create local and international collaboration environments based on sharing value-added projects.
Energize the DC Network itself based on a CWF model that facilitates the identification and support of projects with high potential for collaboration at an international level. To achieve this change in model, the participation of the Cultural and Creative Districts of the DC Network is essential.
Location and format
The CWF24 is planned for April 15, 16 and 17 2024 (Monday to Wednesday), taking place in the 3 capitals of the Basque Country. During the first day there will be the possibility to attend both in person or online, and the second day only in person. The first day the congress is in Bilbao city, with the welcome and the official opening in addition to various talks and the presentation of the 4 thematic areas and the DC Living Lab of CWF24. In the afternoon, attendees will be able to choose from several itineraries of the CCIs that they can visit in Bilbao. The following day, the thematic areas are the protagonists and those interested in participating in them will travel to the Basque city chosen (Bilbao, Donostia-San Sebastián or Vitoria-Gasteiz, within 1-hour of travelling distance). There, the idea is to work in groups and generate synergies, specially between the challenges and the highlighted projects. Last day, a common session is occurring, with the final presentation and contrast of the working results by thematic areas, the potential collaborations and closing of the conference. The idea is to go home with ideas and opportunities for collaboration, in order to continue growing the CCIs in an innovative and sustainable way.
Thematic areas
In order to achieve the CWF24 objectives, four Thematic Areas (TA, hereinafter) have been selected to work on.
Each thematic area is coordinated by a relevant entity from the Basque Country, with good experience with the subject and its derivaties as well as the coordination of projects.
All thematic areas will have a relevant role in the Forum, having a particular program and activities for each of them. During the second day of the congress, each thematic area will have a specific different location or headquarter, in one of the 3 Basque capitals.
Thematic Areas
About the World Creativity Forum
Founded in 2004, the Districts of Creativity (DC) Network unites regions around the world to share and develop practices on stimulating cross-disciplinary creativity and foster innovation in order to contribute to addressing global challenges for a better future.
Annually, one of the DC regions organizes the Creativity World Forum. It is a flagship conference and gathering of the DC-Network that brings together and inspires a myriad of people such as government leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, or policy makers to discuss creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. It is focused on multidisciplinary collaboration but the organizing member has the privilege to chose the theme, focus and approach. Moreover, a DC LivingLab is also organized every year. It consists of an international student workshop to connect with future creative talents and they have a prominent part during the conference, as well.
Previous editions
2022: Baden-Württemberg.
2019: Brabant, The Netherlands
2018: Flanders, Belgium
2017: Aarhus, Denmark
2016: Bangalore, India
2015: Oklahoma, USA
2013: Tampere, Finland
2012: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2011: Flanders, Belgium
2010: Oklahoma, USA
2009: Baden-Württemberg, Germany
2008: Flanders, Belgium
2007: Qingdao, China
2006: Flanders, Belgium
2005: Maryland, USA
2004: Flanders, Belgium