Investing in the Lebanese Creative Economy

“Investing in the Lebanese Creative Economy” was organised on November 25th 2010 by the British Council and the Lebanese Creative Cluster, in partnership with Cisco and GAIA-heritage

The seminar gathered researchers, investors, entrepreneurs and creatives to identifying economic advantages of investing in the creative industries and difficulties encountered by each of the parties concerned. The event was the opportunity to elaborate a strategy and communicate on the role Lebanon could play at national and international levels.

GAIA-heritage was involved in both the content and organisation of the seminar, providing insight on the role of physical space as an incubator for artistic and creative practices. This analysis was the result of an in-depth study of Mar Mikhael, a neighbourhood of Beirut recently labeled as a ‘Creative Cluster’.

On November 26th, a selected group of decision makers from the public and private sectors as well as creatives came up with the following recommendations:

1) Gathering quantitative & qualitative data and reporting them on a continuously updated interactive map, containing detailed information on each creative actor but also on the area’s environment and other stakeholders;

2) Establishing a cultural creative entrepreneurship fund, with a portfolio approach;

3) Crystallising creative ideas through reinforcing & developing a high level education in Lebanon.