On 21th  November 2018, in Tirana (Albania), in the framework of AI-NURECC initiative, the event entitled “CREATIVE AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES IN THE EUSAIR AREA – Training Workshop on CCI Start-up: Adriatic Start-up School  model” was held at Tirana International Conference Center. The initiative, was organized by the Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Durres – member of the AIC Forum.

The initiative main aim was to support the dialogue in the field  of culture by identifying issues of common interest and sharing excellence and best practices to support artistic entrepreneurship, creative start-ups and contemporary art festivals in the EUSAIR Area.

The Adriatic-Ionian region has great potential to develop competitive and innovative creative and cultural industries that would benefit a wide range of stakeholders in the AI Region, as the moderator of the first session Michele De Vita, Secretary General of Forum AIC, had remarked.  A better knowledge of the opportunities offered, together with a reinforced dialogue in the field  of culture by identifying issues of common interest and sharing excellence and best practices to support creative start-ups would enable the decision and policy-makers to propose better tools for the encouragement of job creation and employment.

The event was attended by more than 70 professionals and students, mainly from Agricultural University of Tirana and Elbasan University , as well as participants from Italy and representatives of the European Institutions.

 

WELCOME REMARKS 

The day started with the greetings, moderated by the Secretary General of Forum AIC, Michele De Vita.  The opening session saw the participation of relevant institutional actors, as   the Italian Ambassador to the Republic of Albania, Alberto Cutillo and Amb. Fabio Pigliapoco, Senior Advisor of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative, who highlighted the importance of the AI-NURECC Initiative, that contributes to the implementation of the EUSAIR Strategy.

The focus of Luca Ceriscioli, President of Marche Region, was on the role of the Public Institution in supporting projects of regional interest, with a particular focus on  creative and cultural sector while the President of Tirana Regional Council, Aldrin Dalipi, took the floor, highlithing how important is the transfer of the cultural heritage to the next generations and the youth is in the centre of works of Tirana Municipality in the culture field, through programs encouraging youth entrepreneurship in various art branches.

Then the stage was left to Brizida Hoxha, Secretary-General of Durres Chamber of Commerce who renew the importance promoting the next generation of Cultural Entrepreneurs by supporting and encourage youth entrepreneurship through Forum AIC activities and network.

Special emphasis has been placed, by   Florian Tahiri, Deputy Mayor of Durrës on the role of the creative and cultural sector as a driver of economic development and a solution of brain drain in Durres Region and how a better knowledge of the opportunities offered, together with a reinforced dialogue in the field  of culture would enable the decision and policy-makers to propose better tools for the encouragement of job creation and employment.

Finally, the newly elected President of Chamber of Commerce of Marche Region, Gino Sabatini, at his first International Conference within this role, remarked the potential of the cultural sector as a strategic pillar for the Macro-region, with the final goal of better quality of life for citizens and encouraged the creation and development of innovative cultural companies aimed at enhancing the cultural heritage  of the Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion. The Forum AIC permanent Secretariat is located at Marche Chamber of Commerce, in Ancona, and the President Sabatini wanted to underline the intention to enhance the cooperation between the Chamber and Forum initiatives.

The second session, dedicated to the Adriatic Start-up school model , was moderated by Donato Iacobucci, Professor of Applied Economics at Università Politecnica delle Marche, representative of UniAdrion and Francesca Farinelli, General Manager Ecapital Culture, who introduced  the Adriaic Start-up School.

The project, financed by AI-NURECC initiative, intends to encourage creation and development of innovative cultural companies aimed at enhancing the cultural heritage  of the Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion.  The Adriatic Start-up School final purpose is to draw up business plans to be submitted to the institutional, entrepreneurial and financial world of EUSAIR.

The training aim was to discuss with Albanian representatives the development of the model of the school, to improve it with feedbacks from the students (main target) and to disseminate the further upcoming open call for application of the school to Albanian possible participants. Francesca Farinelli presented the application form and introduced the upcoming edition which will be held in Ancona, between March-May 2019.

In this sense the presence of Ryco LBO, Kreshnik Loka, was more than suitable. The Regional Youth Cooperation Office, aiming to promote the spirit of reconciliation and cooperation between the youth in the AI region through youth exchange programs,  encouraged the Adriatic Start-up School participation and defined as a future best practice in terms of innovation in the creative and cultural sector.

Prof. Iacobucci, took the floor presenting some common problems and gaps in the entrepreneurial field within Adriatic-Ionian Countries and highlighting possible solutions as sharing best practices in entrepreneurship education and start-up support in our universities, cities and regions and promoting connections, exchanges and partnerships between young entrepreneurs in the A-I area. The next presentation of the Professor was about how to structure and present a
business idea, topic  which was of particular interest for the students attending the workshop.

Significant was the presentation of Genta Ahmeti, CEO of “Life on boat” company. Genta developed her business idea during the first edition of the Adriatic Start-up School. Her message to the attending public was deep and inspiring:“ Believe in your ideas and chase the vision, not the money; the money will end up following you.

Then it was time for short business idea presentations by students of University Agricultural University of Tirana – Faculty of Economy and Agribusiness. Sara Hoxhiq, Margi Kaba and Arjola Doci illustrated their business idea within the creative and cultural tourism sector  and received feedbacks from the moderator Prof. Iacobucci and Francesca Farinelli. Margi presentation focused on agro tourism as a new type of tourism in Albania, Sara presented the first tangible museum in Albania while Arjola proposal is to create a camping touristic agency for the middle and high schools.

Finally, all the training participants had to fill out a survey in order to assess their level of interest in the Training workshop activity and their potential intention to participate at the upcoming edition of the Adriatic Start-up School. The results have shown a great interest level among the most of  the participants.

The Training Workshop ended reminding the next AI-NURECC events and the next appointment with the creative and cultural industries action in Mostar, next April 2019.

FINAL AGENDA Training Workshop

Mrs Francesca Farinelli presentation:  ADRIATIC START-UP SCHOOL

ADRIATIC START-UP SCHOOL METHODOLOGY

ADRIATIC START-UP SCHOOL PRESENTATION

ADRIATIC START-UP SCHOOL APPLICATION FORM

ADRIATIC START-UP SCHOOL WORKHOP TIRANA

Prof. Iacobucci presentations:

HOW TO PRESENT A BUSINESS IDEA

ENTREPRENEURSHIP – II SESSION PROF. IACOBUCCI

Short business idea presentations by Students of University Agricultural University of Tirana – Faculty of Economy and Agribusiness: Sara Hoxhiq, Margi Kaba, Arjola Doci

AGROTOURISM BUSINESS IDEA_MARGI KABA

THE FIRST TANGIBLE MUSEUM IN ALBANIA_SARA HOXHIQ

A CAMPING TOURISTIC AGENCY_ARJOLA DOCI