Culture ministries from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo,
Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia met today under the Berlin
Process and, together with UK Special Envoy to the Western
Balkans Dame , adopted a Joint Declaration
that puts the region's creative economy at the centre of its
economic and European future.
Long championed by the United Kingdom, the creative economy of
the Western Balkans has taken centre stage in Berlin Process
discussions for the very first time, reflecting its growing
contribution to inclusive growth, social cohesion and regional
cooperation.
Co-hosted by Montenegro's Minister of Culture and Media Dr
Tamara Vujović, British Council Deputy CEO Kate Ewart
Biggs and the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans
Dame , the forum explored how
creative industries can generate skilled jobs, retain talented
young people and deepen cross-border cooperation. Creative
businesses already outpace many traditional sectors and are
natural partners for the green and digital transitions the
Western Balkans must complete on their path to EU membership.
At the close of the meeting, the six ministers committed to embed
creativity in national growth agendas. The Declaration pledges
governments to treat the creative economy as a strategic sector,
align the work of culture, education and economy ministries,
create stable public-finance lines and incentives that crowd-in
private investment, and open access to EU and international funds
such as the Western Balkans Growth Plan and Horizon Europe.
Ministries aim to turn the region's cultural richness into a
lasting engine of prosperity and regional cohesion.
UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Dame said:
“The UK's hosting of the Berlin Process this year underlines our
commitment to strengthen cooperation with our partners in the
Western Balkans. The discussions we've had today, focused on the
creative economy, highlight the importance of regional
collaboration and the need for long-term investments in areas
that will drive sustainable growth, foster social cohesion, and
deepen ties across the region.”
“The creative economy can be a driver for growth for all
communities. It has immense potential in the Western Balkans. By
working together, we can unlock the full potential of this
sector, not just for economic benefits, but also as a means of
strengthening cultural identity and heritage across the region.
“Today's adoption of the joint declaration by the Ministries of
Culture from the Western Balkans is an important step forward in
shaping the future of the creative economy in the region. It's a
clear statement of our shared vision for fostering innovation,
promoting sustainable development, and supporting our creative
industries as vital contributors to the region's growth. While
each country has its own requirements and ideas, by working
together, governments and creative industry across the region can
bring even more benefits to their citizens across each and every
community.
“We reaffirm our commitment to operationalising the creative
economy as a strategic sector for growth. By strengthening
collaboration between Ministries of Culture, Education, and
Economy, we will ensure that culture and creativity are embedded
in national economic plans, innovation strategies, and skills
development. This is an investment in the future of the region
and its citizens.”
British Council programmes such as Culture & Creativity
for the Western Balkans have trained thousands of cultural
professionals and financed scores of start-ups, while links with
UK institutions have opened new export markets for film, music
and design. Building on today's commitments, the British Council
will launch a regional fund later this year to help creative
entrepreneurs scale their ideas and reach international
audiences, reinforcing the people-to-people ties at the heart of
the Berlin Process.
