CulturePolis invites you for another year to the Roundtable Meeting entitled ‘’Mapping the gaps in creative skills in Greece and Cyprus’’ held in collaboration with liminal.
The meeting will take place online on September 22, 2025, Greek time, 17:00-19:30 in English with simultaneous interpretation in sign language in Greek and Cypriot.
In a rapidly changing world, cultural and creative industries serve as powerful catalysts for social transformation, economic growth and cultural innovation. However, barriers to inclusion and diversity persist, limiting access to creative opportunities and professional development for many. In order to open the dialogue on these concerns, CulturePolis and liminal are co-hosting a roundtable focused on addressing these challenges through skills development, inclusive practices and cross-sector collaboration.
This event builds on the outcomes of the CulturePolis Roundtable at Creative Skills Week 2024.
Greece and Cyprus are renowned for their rich cultural and artistic heritage and creative talent. However, within this cultural wealth, there is a critical need to bridge the gap between the skills required by the industry and those available in the workforce. This event will explore the imperative to close the skills gap, while fostering a more inclusive and accessible creative ecosystem in Greece and Cyprus. Bringing together key stakeholders from academia, industry, government and civil society, we will highlight best practices for promoting diversity and inclusion in the creative industries.
During this discussion, participants will hear about:
● Identifying critical skills gaps and mismatches in the cultural and creative sector with a focus on accessibility and underrepresented communities.
● Exploring educational pathways, training programmes and mentoring opportunities that foster an inclusive workforce.
● Leveraging digital tools and assistive technologies to improve access for diverse communities.
● The role of public-private partnerships, policy interventions and grassroots initiatives in strengthening an inclusive creative ecosystem.
● Best practices and important case studies from projects that promote diversity, accessibility and creative empowerment.
AGENDA
- Greetings and Introductory Speech
A brief welcome highlighting the event’s focus on tackling skills gaps in the creative sectors of Greece and Cyprus, with an emphasis on inclusion, accessibility, and knowledge exchange. - Identifying critical skills shortages and mismatches in the cultural and creative industries, with a focus on accessibility and underrepresented communities
This session presents the major skill shortages and mismatches currently affecting the cultural and creative industries, and how these gaps hinder progress in making the sector more accessible, equitable, and inclusive—particularly for individuals and communities that have been historically underrepresented, marginalized, or excluded from full participation. - Explore educational pathways, training programs, and mentorship opportunities that foster a more inclusive workforce
This session will spotlight successful programs that create inclusive opportunities for skills development. - Leverage digital tools and access tools to improve access for diverse communities
An exploration of how digital transformation and accessibility technologies can remove participation barriers. - Examine the role of public-private partnerships, policy interventions, and grassroots initiatives in strengthening an inclusive creative ecosystem
This panel discusses cross-sector strategies to build inclusive, sustainable creative ecosystems. - Share best practices and impactful case studies from projects that promote diversity, accessibility, and creative empowerment
This session will showcase case studies from Greece, Cyprus, and other EU countries.
Presenters will outline approaches that have succeeded in breaking down barriers and enabling cultural participation from the ground up. - Discussion & Conclusions
Discussion, a brief wrap-up with key takeaways, next steps, and ways to stay involved in future inclusion-focused initiatives.
*Speakers will be announced soon.
For any questions, you can contact us at secretariat@culturepolis.org.