May The project is cofinanced by the European Union and the Republic of Hungary within the INTERREG IVC Program.

Transcription

1 may rd & 4th Joint Editions May 2011 The project is cofinanced by the European Union and the Republic of Hungary within the INTERREG IVC Program.

2 may 2011 EDITORIAL ALCOBAÇA WELCOMES EXPERTS & EXHIBITION FROM ALL OVER EUROPE Public panels debating on ceramics and handcrafts addressed the sector s competitiveness on a broader European level and the critical issues for the European Agenda. Ceramic cities in Europe confronted their experiences under the moderation of acknowledged experts. After a series of long-haul exchange visits that had taken place over a year, the CeRamICa project is reaching into its final stretch. The promotion of the results achieved so far has taken place on 6th and 7th April 2011 in Alcobaça, Portugal. Experts, academics, local & regional politicians as well as European cooperation projects members, gathered in the city of Alcobaça to debate on the findings of the exchange of experiences within CeRamICa. The Conference presented to the public the results of the exchange visits to the earlier identified best practices by the project, helping the collection of Europe-wide references. The two-day public panel discussions overviewed good practices in the fields of design, marketing, innovation or education and training, as well as cooperation and clustering in relation to ceramics and small crafts. Also, in themes such as cultural heritage & tourism, illustrations answering the sector s present challenges and opportunities were given through distinctive examples. Referenced, amongst dozens of European good practices, the initiative Garden of the Arts from Braz Gil Studio (Portugal) promotes industrial and cultural tourism by targeting long-stay visitors to the city thanks to an outstanding combination of learning infrastructures (design studio, painting school, etc.) and commercial areas matching exhibiting spaces alongside with artist studios. Alongside with the public debates, an exhibition on ceramics & handcrafts sampling Europe s best practices was hosted in the Monastery of Alcobaça. The city s ceramic manufactures have been a reference since late 19th century to the present and have managed to modernise themselves throughout the years, in a constant effort to overcome the obstacles they came across, and to keep securing and even creating new jobs, thanks to the combination of traditional production and high quality design. I feel proud to see our municipality s ceramic industry contribute to the country s export rates. In addition to our ceramic crafts artistic value, the commercial aspect is of vital importance to ensure that this sector keeps representing Alcobaça in Portugal and at an international level. has stated Paulo Jorge Marques Inácio, Mayor of hosting city Alcobaça. Conference distinguished speaker, Hungarian ceramic & handcraft expert Sándor Orcsik, President of Handcraft Department, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Csongrád, Hungary expressed: The preservation of traditional handcrafts all over Europe is an essential aspect of the conservation of our common cultural heritage contributing to cultural treasuring by know-how. For a sectoral representation such as the Chamber, this task consists in creating an inspiring environment for the manufacturers and designers and the establishment of an educational framework for learning and transmitting.

3 may 2011 REPORT CERAMICA BEST PRACTICE VISITS: AN INTENSIVE TRANSFER OF EXPERIENCES In the period between May 2010 and March 2011, a total of 10 best practice exchanges took place in the CeRamICa project offering on-the-spot, concrete learning and knowledge sharing experience amongst project partners. Partners planned their visits according to the CeRamICa Best Practice Catalogue (www. ceramicaproject.eu) assembled in 2009 on the basis of the results of local and regional SWOT & market analyses. Launched at CeRamICa s best practice fair at the 1st interregional conference held in Vallauris on October 2009, exchange visits welcoming ceramists, craftsmen, regional stakeholders as well as elected and staff members from partners were chosen and composed following project partners local opportunities and needs to best adapt specific knowledge. The common methodology provided for a combination of personal visits and staff exchanges to the involved good practice venues, personal meetings and interviews with their hosts (decision makers, elected bodies, manufacturers, ceramists and craftsmen, ceramics & handcraft organizations), joint workshops, as well as open debates. Participants could exchange on knowledge, know-how, approaches, experiences, ideas as part of the learning process. Each visit offered useful and stimulating programme for partners. Both staff members and stakeholders came into first hand contact with the experiences of the visited best practice venues. Transfers gave also opportunity for partners to realise that other regions are facing similar problems regarding the promotion and the development of ceramics and small crafts irrespective of whether it is artistic or craft ceramics. In the following articles will presented reports on the results of exchange visits held in Portugal and Hungary, on the experiences gained from Italian and French practices as well as on some Romanian and Slovenian examples. QUALITY IS NOT ENOUGH : HUNGARIAN AND PORTUGUESE ARTISTS AND MANUFACTURES TRYING TO ADAPT TO SURVIVE To avoid being eliminated by growing industries, Region Oeste (PT) and Hódmezővásárhely (H) have opted for structures permitting cooperation and a creative entrepreneurship supported by innovative marketing processes and a high strike on education. In one word: Flexibility. The very first transfer visit was organized to Portugal in May 2010, and was hosted by ADERE, the Municipality of Alcobaça and Intelligence in innovation, Innovation Centre Lisboa (INTELI) at 12 different venues. Portuguese best practices were showing good examples of form of coope-ration involving association of artists and promotion of industrial and cultural longstay tourism such as the Garden of Arts or Ponte Da Barca s association and showroom ArteBarca. DOING A LOT FOR A UNIQUE CAUSE Developed in Caldas da Rainha by the Braz Gil Studio, the multipurpose centre of the GARDEN OF ARTS combines in the same space learning infrastructures (design studio, painting school, etc), retail areas (shops selling ceramic products along with local and regional gourmet and other products), restoration areas, sensory and natural product (tea, herbs and other aromas) experimentation areas, workshops and exhibitions. The centre has been designed to welcome craftsmen and artists for housing and working temporarily. In Ponte Da Barca, craftsmen joined together to form the association ARTEBARCA for the purpose of preserving and fostering the production of handicrafts of the Municipality of Ponte da Barca. The Centre of Exhibition & Sale of Regional Products offers its members a space where they can display and sell their work, among which we can find the traditional Lenços de Namorados (lovers handkerchiefs), embroideries, open hems, stone masonry and wooden miniatures, among others.

4 may 2011 REGION OESTE: SETTING SAIL ON FUTURE GENERATION AND NEW MARKETS Education, dispensed in both cooperatives and specific schools, is one of a kind in Portugal, as showcased by the example of Oeste Region s Cencal Training Centre. As a certified training institution a a technical and educational support the centre carries out training activities, both for young people and adults, in the areas of industrial and artistic and creative ceramics. The work of small companies is simulated within the centre, so that trainees are in contact with the realities of production. The ceramic products made by students are displayed and sold in the centre s own shop. Portuguese ceramics of the Oeste Region are also flourishing of successful entrepreneurs and SMEs in Caldas de Reihna, who have learnt to adapt to the demanding and industrialising new markets by using different approaches: the Bordallo Pinheiro Factory specialised in thematic utilitarian ceramics, the Braz Gil studio producing finest small series porcelains and the Faria & Bento Factory has specialised in patented thermo-resistant utilitarian pieces. The above good practices were studied by representatives from Turda, Baia Mare (RO) and Hódmezővásárhely (H). The experience gained focused on innovative solutions for financing commercial activities in SME s, on examples of cooperation between different actors involved in the manufacturing, branding and selling of handcrafts and interesting solutions for education of future generations.

5 may 2011 HÓDMEZÕVÁSÁRHELY S STAND OUT FOR FOLK ARTS IN MODERN DESIGN Hungarian ceramics has been facing similar difficulties to their Portuguese partners due to growing industrialisation of the production during the late 80 s. This tendency, which went growing in Portugal where production has turned to mostly exportation, has slowed down in Hungary, which could keep its traditional handicraft production, where small-sized companies, family manufactures found innovative solutions to keep the sector alive. Illustration of these practices could be found out during a visit organised for the Alcobaça (PT) and the Regional Development Agency of Abruzzo (IT) partners in June 2010 to the Hungarian best practice sites. Visit to the Pottery house of Hódmezővásárhely, a folk-art enterprise with diverse activities, revealed to be very fruitful. Partners discovered the main advantages of this family business: its ability to incorporate all important aspects of product branding and business development, from technology to business cooperation through the organisation of workshops. The Tile Stove workshop based on the cooperation of two families and the Glass studio were also good examples of how important marketing activity is for a small enterprise and how this might support success of sale. The later practice uses specific technologies and emphasizes the importance of planning and design, as well as the use of its own brand which due to its high reputation in the profession, ensures customers to buy a high quality product. Similar to the Portuguese examples, Hungarian practice also gave room to forms of cooperation strengthening artists networks from local and international grounds. Hódmezővásárhely is a place for ceramic activities of different levels and approaches. Apart from the activities of the small workshops following folk traditions, the industrial arts and fine arts branches of ceramics receive a growing attention. Among the 5 good practices the city offered for exchange, partners studied the Ceramics Symposium and Artists Colony, an international workshop organised every year in the town for six weeks. Part of their work is exhibited in the local museum, later displayed in other ceramic exhibitions around the country as well. The symposium constitutes an organic part of the national and international art life. It is the result of the continuous organisational work, creative ideas, and extensive lobby activities of acknowledged ceramics artist throughout 12 years of cooperation. Artists from several countries have participated in the symposium: Hungarians from outside the borders, French, Egyptians, Turkish, Japanese, and Canadians. Local factories are providing creative workshops, different technologies, materials, firing opportunities, and fruitful work conditions. Besides, the Arts, Educational and Research Centre organises a two-week art camp every summer. The programme includes workshops on ceramics, graphics, patterning, archaeology, cooking, reading, photography, and dialogue with the artists. Works and productions are showed at the end of the camp. This form of working together brings together various activities in one settlement: the centre provides facilities for the preservation of traditions, ensures human supplies for the ceramics art and development of technologies through research activities.

6 may 2011 WORKING TOGETHER SUCCEEDING TOGETHER : ITALIAN AND FRENCH CERAMICS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF LEGISLATION AND IN THE HEART OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS - GOOD EXAMPLES OF WELL ORGANISED BRANDING Abruzzo Region in Italy, and the French city of ceramics, Vallauris are experiencing on either regional or national level strong political or institutional support, which permits for local production, know-how and art works to develop in an organised way and benefit from a successful international branding exhibited in labelled exhibitions and fairs. Visits by CeRamICa partners to Abruzzo Region took place in August and September 2010, organised by Abruzzo Regional Development Agency. Participating partners (Hoya Bunol-Chiva, Vallauris, Baia Mare and later Hódmezovásárhely, INTELI and ADERE) came to experience the unique legal environment benefiting to Abruzzo Region s craftsmen. HANDCRAFTS IN GOOD HANDS IN ABRUZZO There is a strong desire to pursue the revitalization of handcrafts in Abruzzo, in all its expressions, working with old, as well as with productions of more recent origin. By having set up a protective legal framework and product labelling new impetus and visibility has been given to the products of artistic craftsmanship, especially of the less considered inland areas, which are integrated into a modern manufacturing process. During the first study tour, participating partners met the Councillor of Economic Development of the Abruzzo Region and familiarized with the framework legislation on Craftsmanship of 1985 as well as the labels Artistic & traditional ceramics and the Production disciplines of artistic & traditional cera-mics from Castelli aiming at ensuring the designation of origin and the defence and conservation of the technical characteristics of production and manufacturing of Castelli ceramics. As a result of the local support, workshops in Abruzzo belong to various local artisans: goldsmiths, blacksmiths, coppersmiths are organised in small associations, guilds and consortiums which, together with political representatives, promote and support themselves in both Italy and abroad. For the Spanish partner, Hoya Bunol-Chiva, this practice demonstrated that handcraft, if organized, is capable of mobilizing other economic sectors as well, especially commerce and tourism, from which cooperation everyone wins. Visit of the 40th Artisan Expo of Guardiagrele and meeting and discussions in the Centre for Artistic Abruzzo Handicraft. An important moment for artistic craftsmanship in Abruzzo is the exhibition of artistic craftsmanship that is held every year in August, by the Artistic Crafts Show Regional Committee in the centre of the province of Chieti. The Artisan Expo of Abruzzo region is known as the major event of appearance for the artisans of various small craft activities. The Expo includes contests for the artists with awards for winners, and creates an opportunity for them to build contacts with their potential clients the people of the streets.

7 may 2011 YOU ARE TAGGED : VISIBILITY AT THE SERVICE OF ART The study tour organised in Vallauris in autumn 2010, showed some similar experiences to the Italian practice. Partners Abruzzo Sviluppo and ADERE were introduced to the ARTS AND CRAFTS CITY label ( Ville et métiers d Arts ). The label is presented as a best practice for providing visibility for the art of the city: producers of high quality products in Vallauris receive the label in order to certify origin, quality, and reputation belonging to this emblem. Labelled products can be easily identified and distinguished from other craftmen s products. There is also a label stamp Vallauris certifying that the potteries are made in this town and as a guarantee of knowhow, tradition and quality. Romanian partner, Baia Mare reported with interest on the labelling and branding process. The manner in which Italian politicians and civil servants get involved in supporting this sector, as well as the existence of special laws aiming to protect it were the best examples of practices visited so far. The municipality, local authorities, the Chamber of Commerce, the Commune Consortium, the Craftspeople Association and the local factories are all involved in the preservation and valorisation of the ceramic craft. Based on the example of the visited Guardiagrele expo, the administration of Baia Mare is going to create an association of ceramists to increase representation of the sector within the area and is going to organise, in collaboration with the Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art, a permanent exhibition of the Baia Mare potters. During a second exchange visit, in September 2010, a further group of partners could study some other good practices implemented in the Abruzzo Region: the Park of Ceramics; workshops at the Italian Association of Cities of Ceramics (AICC); the project Abruzzo Interexpo ; as well as the itineraries of artisan shops in the Province of Chieti. The aim of the Italian Association of Cities of Ceramics (A.I.C.C.) based in Faenza, is to bring together actors in the fields of ceramics, for the joint promotion and development of ceramic traditions of the country. The association, established in 1999, based in Faenza, is a non profit organization that has the aim of creating a national network of cities where a significant ceramic activity had historically developed. With this aim, the Association works for the development of ceramics, by promoting a pact of friendship between the centres of ancient ceramic tradition. Having been introduced the practice of the Faenza international art fair, the Portuguese partner ADERE plans to organize a similar event in the territory of the Peneda-Ger s National Park: a several days street event, including competitions for arts and crafts. Hódmezővásárhely also started planning fairs in town and exhibitions connecting to ceramic and small crafts sectors based on the example of the Faenza expo.

8 may 2011 ARTS [DOT] COM: THE ONLINE EXHIBITION The Region has launched the Abruzzo Interexpo, a specialized website reserved for quality artistic craftsmanship in Abruzzo. With over a hundred exhibitors and a variety showcase of regional production, the webexpo available via the Region s official site offers the opportunity not only to admire local production, an evolution of a millennial art, refined and complex, but also and above all, to bring together realities operating in inaccessible areas difficult to reach with public transport, with a refined and cultured audience. Also serving as a business tool, the site allows to carry out orders and buying directly unique products. The presence of the link on the page of the Abruzzo Region and the sponsorship of other major regional institutions reinforces a technologically advanced project in compliance with the millennial ceramics culture of Abruzzo. PROMOTION, BRANDING, À LA FRENCH The French city, Vallauris has also its international branding showcase in the form of the Biennale of Contemporary Ceramics. The biennale is an event of international reputation, organised for the promotion of ceramic art. The event has been organised since Throughout the Biennial, various places are selected and prepared to show the ceramics around the town. Partners participating in the exchange were introduced to the good working communication strategies that have led to an acknowledgment at local, national and international level and visited the sites of the exhibition and planning techniques. Partners also visited the Municipal School of Fine Arts and studied its functioning on site which serves a good example of education. Abruzzo Sviluppo is likely to invest in education based on the French example, while ADERE has been inspired by the quality of the exhibitions proposed in the city and plans to organize a similar event at home. EDUCATION: THE STRENGTH OF THE FRENCH AND PORTUGUESE PARTNERS The MUNICIPAL SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS IN VALLAURIS is a rather rare case in France and as such is an example for many cities. Many people of various ages (children, adults and artists) come here to study the different techniques of ceramics. Now it has more than 400 students enrolled in ceramic production. The school presents many strong points: this educational institution is exceptional in bringing together students of different age groups and levels of qualification, from childhood to seniors. It also provides workshop location for the students, and degrees of qualification. The PROFESSIONAL TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE CERAMICS INDUSTRY of CENCAL organises trainings primarily in utilitarian and ornamental ceramics, involving trainees in the whole production process, providing them with facilities to practise the art and opportunities to meet and listen to acknowledged researchers and artists of the field. At the centre there is a simulation of a small ceramics company so that trainees can have contact with the manufacturing reality. They witness the whole production process from moulding to firing and finally to painting. For those from far away, CENCAL can provide accommodation for about fifty boarders. Both institutions have been listed as best practices by CeRamICa partners and their functioning has been studied during exchange visits.

9 may PARTNERS THAT HAVE MUCH TO SHARE: EXPERIENCES FROM ROMANIAN AND SLOVENIAN VISITS Artisans and municipality staff members from Turda, Baia Mare and Velika Polana face mostly the same kind of problems than the rest of the European ceramics sector. Cooperation and use of the most efficient training, promotion and management methods may contribute to the preservation and passing on of this noble trade to future generations. Partners learnt each from other especially focusing on entrepreneurship and cooperation. In September 2010, the study tour drove partners to Baia Mare on exchanges of identified good practices at the Potter s House run by ceramist Daniel Les and processes combining craftsmanship, tourism and education along meetings with representatives of the individual entrepreneurial models of BaiaMare (Bledea, Craciun, Sitar). Velika Polana and Turda partners and their stakeholders came to Baia Mare exchange experience. Participants succeeded in getting information and technical data on the Baia Mare ceramics industry, on education and training of the young people wishing to learn this trade (The Art Highschool of Baia Mare), on promoting authentic traditional and modern ceramics products (The Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art), as well as on the techniques and methods of the local craftsmen and artisans, by visiting the studios of Gheorghe and Judit Craciun, Zaharie and Doina Bledea and Cornel Sitar. The visitors also had the opportunity to watch ceramic-manufacturing technologies on the spot. One of the most interesting elements of the exchange visit was The Arts High School & Craciun Studio and Children s club. This proved to be very inspiring for Velika Polana who so far had not have such a specific institution targeted at children but as a result of the exchange, has started thinking about setting up similar institution. In Turda the good practice represented by SC Sens Art SRL was studied by representatives of Baia Mare and Velika Polana. The company is remarkable for its innovation spirit, combining traditional methods with advanced technologies in its production structure, thus adapting to market demand. It started production in Turda in 2008 and functions as a workshop in the former location of Potaissa Handcraft, using partly its traditional technology. The products are similar to those produced years ago but are very well adapted to the market demand: flower pots from clay, ornamental bricks from clay and stove tiles. As a result of both Romanian transfer visits, partners learnt about training the new generations in working with clay as an educational component of their personal development and as a long-term perspective (Children s Club), understanding how industrial ceramics can be a niche production (Cerasind Ltd.), and the manner of displaying traditional pottery and other clay products (Ethnographical Museum). Partners were looking forward to adapt good practice of the Ceramists association, annual ceramist spring fair and the permanent ceramics exhibition at the Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art. Two similar study tours were organized to Velika Polana: a visit by Turda and Baia Mare,and another one by Hoya Bunol Chiva s staff members. Both exchanges involved the following practices: operation of Bojnec Ceramics and workshop with the representatives of the Cooperative for Rural Development Pomelaj.

10 may 2011 A WELL ASSERTED REPUTATION The Slovenian BOJNEC family became famous for their ceramics production. The basis of acknowledgement is in the conscious actions they made in order to promote the family traditions and call the attention of the public to the valuable and aesthetic pieces of art they produce. Today Bojnec manufactures a wide range of traditional products and household ceramics that are being used for cooking in electric ovens. Specially manufactured ceramics can also be applied in open fire cooking. The products are being sold in bigger Slovene towns and stores and used in renowned restaurants country-wide. During the exchange visit business collaboration began between the Slovenian company BOJNEC CERAMICS and Cerasind Ltd. regarding providing insulating tubes from Cerasind to Bojnec for burning the ceramic items in special kilns. Pomelaj Cooperative is an extraordinary example of generating working places across various crafts. In addition, this cooperative is formed by women, being segregated from the labour market that have decided to start an entrepreneurial initiative. Two aspects were found especially interesting: the excellent example of good use of the European financing and the will of the managing director of the centre to strain for staying alive and to fight on the market, investigating and designing new models of crafts from raw material recycled from the agriculture. Baia Mare participants were particularly impressed with the manner in which the administration and the local craftsmen gave greater value to the history and tradition of Slovenian pottery. They took the opportunity to emphasize the necessity of collaboration and experience exchanges between ceramists of all countries, with a view of supporting and developing this sector, which is an important component of the European tourism industry. Preserving old workshops and ceramic-fabrics may become an important asset in attracting visitors passionate about authentic traditional art to the area, thus contributing to the social and economic development of places of ceramic tradition. The main experiences of Hoya Bunol-Chiva were on the one side a psychological perspective: the fact that small crafts should not only be treated as an economic sector, but as a tool for reintroducing people with difficulties into the labour market and simultaneously promoting economic growth and social image. The other main lesson was a market perspective that is based on the assumption that financial support received from the EU has to be used for promoting the initial push of people with ideas, but later on actors have to work alone and fight to survive in the market. Hoya would like to find an opportunity to use regional or state grants in order to launch an initiative similar to Pomelaj.

11 may 2011 NEWS - INTERREG IVC 4TH EU FORUM Almost 500 participants, from more than 28 countries, took part in the 4th EU Forum in Budapest in early The forum, organised by the INTERREG IVC Programme and hosted by the Hungarian Presidency of the EU, was aimed at informing participants on the latest developments in the Programme and providing opportunities for networking and partner search for those developing cooperation projects. Over two days, panel discussions from regions and cities currently cooperating, alongside workshops and presentations from INTER- REG IVC staff, provided a full spectrum of possible results and outcomes due to interregional cooperation. Invited to the Lead Partner s panel, the CeRamICa project was represented by its external Project Manager, Eszter HÉJJ (HBHE, Hungary). Four successful project developers (NEEBOR, CASTLE, SURF NATURE and CeRamICa) who are currently leading running INTERREG IVC projects shared their own experiences and gave advice to the potential applicants in the panel discussion. As a curiosity, networking was facilitated by a unique device called Spotme, allowing participants to find easily those from a particular region or theme that they were interested in. Almost 2500 contact details were exchanged using this device. Read more: _Interregional_ Cooperation _Forum_report.pdf CERAMICA POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS & LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION PLANS The finalisation of partner s Policy Recommendations at local level and of Local Implementation Plans are under process. The European level Policy Recommendations will be edited in the summer of 2011 and presented at the Final Conference in September In case of all the good practice exchanges, upon returning home, partners discussed their experiences and the possibilities of involving what had been seen and experienced into their own local, regional practices, decision making and regulations. These actions pave the way to the Local Implementation Plans, which will go through an endorsement procedure by which participating regions realise recommendations of the project locally. Based on all previous activities, experiences and outputs so far, each project partner develops the 2nd draft of their local, regional policy recommendations, including implementation plans had to be completed in spring 2011, in close cooperation with local, regional decision makers and all relevant stakeholders. The results of these shall be included into each PP s revised Local Policy Recommendations and will be integrated into the project level Recommendations as well. The aim of these documents is to provide recommendations on how to implement locally experiences gained in the project through mainstreams and other EC programs. More information and conference agenda will be published soon on the project s website. Please visit: THE NEXT BIG STEP WILL BE A LOT OF SMALL STEPS : URBACT CREATIVE CLUSTERS PROJECT S FINAL CONFERENCE IN ÓBIDOS, PORTUGAL The final conference of the URBACT network Creative Clusters in Low Density Urban Areas took place in Óbidos (Portugal) on 9th June, under the theme The next big step will be a lot of small steps. The event was the result of three years intense cooperation between eight project partners (INTELI Intelligence in Innovation (Portugal), the cities of Óbidos (Portugal Lead Partner of the project), Enguera (Spain), Reggio Emilia (Italy), Barnsley (UK), Jyväskylä (Finland), Mizil (Romania) and Hódmezővásárhely (Hungary)). The project s main focus was the assertion of the idea that creativity can work as a driver for the development of small and medium-sized cities and not only of metropolises and big cities. (to be continued the next page)

12 may Several examples of European creative industries and spaces were presented during the conference in order to promote the exchange of experiences, best practices and innovative approaches, such as the TIWI company (Italy), the ABC creative industries incubator (Portugal), the My Machine Project (Belgium), the Terni creative strategy (Italy), and the Guimarāes European Capital of Culture 2012 programme (Portugal). Local Action Plans developed during the project were also presented by some of the network cities with a view to demonstrate the creative potential of these territories. Moreover, the political commitment of decision-makers to the project was visible during a Round Table organised at the end of the event, with the objective of discussing the governance of local creative ecosystems. The conference was organized in a special place, an old building that will be rehabilitated with the aim of hosting creative industries and artists. An original atmosphere was created in an interaction between the degraded space and new technologies and creative solutions. Around 20 speakers and 120 participants attended the event, public authorities and universities, schools, creative companies, cultural organisations and creative experts. Project partners are looking forward to their thorough cooperation in the future as well as developing further joint initiatives while keeping their network functioning. EVENTS TO COME - CERAMICA FINAL CONFERENCE, 16TH SEPTEMBER 2011, HÓDMEZÕVÁSÁRHELY (HUNGARY) The INTERREG IVC Programme supported CeRamICa project will be officially closed at a final conference to be held in the Lead Partner s city, Hódmezővásárhely. Partners will welcome political board members, local, regional, national and European stakeholders, as well as the public to present the final conclusions of the 3-year long interregional cooperation: the CeRamICa Policy Recommendations providing suggested actions for the future of the ceramics and small crafts industries in Europe and guidance on local implementation of the project s experiences through mainstreams and other EC programs. More information and conference agenda will be published soon on the project s website. Please visit: Editorial: Project Manager: Aniko VARGA vargaa@hodmezovasarhely.hu This project is implemented through the INTERREG IVC Programme co-financed by the ERDF.