Creativity receives ’17 million TL’ support
Izmir University of Economics Creative Economy Research and Application Center’s (IUE+KREA) project, “Create In Izmir”, which aims to make the city the focal point of creativity by producing projects in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation, qualified for approximately 17 million TL (2.3 million Euros) support from the Ministry of Industry and Technology. IUE+KREA Director Sevay İpek Aydın, who stated that the project, which was carried into effect with the collaboration of Izmir Development Agency (IZKA), Izmir Tourism Foundation (IZTAV) and Aegean Young Businessmen Association (EGIAD), is very important for the development of Izmir, said, “Create In Izmir was chosen among more than 100 projects across Turkey. We had an important opportunity in terms of increasing the global recognition of Izmir, making our city attractive for creative industries and developing strategic activities.”
In ‘Create In Izmir’ project, which was supported by the Ministry of Industry and Technology within the scope of "European Commission Competitive Sectors Program Creative Industries Fund", the digitalization processes of all projects and collaborations in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation will be supported, and works will be carried out to realize the better ones. What companies need in Izmir will be determined one by one and reports will be prepared.
Within the scope of the project, which also includes special sectoral lobbying activities and R&D studies specific to Izmir, national and international panels and meetings will be held with the participation of guests from foreign countries. We will work in unity to create new projects that are getting stronger with the potential of Izmir. A comprehensive road map will be created to promote the projects effectively. The project, which will also include the steps to be taken for companies to have easy access to financial resources, will pave the way for foreign investment to head towards Izmir.
IZMIR WILL BECOME ATTRACTIVE TO INVESTORS
IUE+KREA Director Sevay İpek Aydın stated that Izmir, which has a history of 8 thousnad 500 years, is among the most potential cities in the world with all its features. Expressing that they analyze the structures of creative industries in Izmir, Aydın emphasized that they aim to produce the road map that Izmir needs in two years. Aydın said, “In our country, the Ministry of Industry and Technology manages the relevant fund of the European Commission. In line with the requirements of the age, being a project that supports qualified and strong digital transformation for the development of cities was the most important distinguishing criterion for benefiting from the fund. Every year, many projects are forwarded to the Ministry. The projects that are decided to be supported are determined by examining horoughly. Create In Izmir project has been one of them. I believe, the project, which we realized by working in harmony with IZKA, IZTAV and EGIAD, will add strength to our city. It will also guide creative industrial activities based on personal or corporate skills and talent, whose basis is to make products and services in all sectors where they intersect stronger and different in the market.”
WHERE INFORMATICS AND DESIGN INTERSECT
Aydın stated the following: “The Silicon Valley in America; a point that everyone knows, has a unique atmosphere, seen as an inspiration for creative ideas. In a way, it is the center of innovation and creativity. We acted on the thought ‘Why wouldn’t Izmir, become the center of creativity’. We aimed to make Izmir a point where informatics and design intersect. We also wanted to allow creative minds to stay in Izmir. Our project also aims to bring the business world dealing with creative industries together in Izmir. Our project has been designed to be fully digital. In this way, we have prevented the coronavirus from getting in the way of studies for our project. We continue our studies continuously.”
