eXpression Umeå has been granted EU funding for the project Creative Networks - for growth and digital transformation. The project will run from 2026 to 2028 and will strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs in cultural and creative industries through improved business support structures, increased digital maturity and a long-term international incubator network.
The project is funded by Interreg Aurora and is implemented in co-operation between actors in Sweden, Finland and Norway. The total project budget amounts to EUR 1 605 955, making it one of the larger joint investments in cultural and creative industries under the Aurora programme.
eXpression Umeå is the lead partner and coordinates the work together with partners throughout the Aurora region.
This project is about moving from individual initiatives to more coherent and long-term innovation support for cultural and creative businesses in Northern Europe. We will develop common methods, share knowledge across borders and build structures. All to strengthen the support system and provide even better conditions for companies to grow," says Emil Hägglund, Executive Director of eXpression Umeå.
Focus on stronger support for creative businesses
The project is primarily aimed at organisations working in business and innovation support, but the impact should be felt by businesses. The project will:
- business-supporting organisations receive joint skills development in areas such as digitalisation, AI, investment and internationalisation
- a formal cross-border incubator network is established between Sweden, Finland and Norway
- a digital collaboration platform is developed for knowledge sharing and matching
- a joint index and report on the development of cultural and creative industries in the region is produced, to inform future policy and strategic decisions
The project will also ensure that perspectives from Sámi industries and cultural entrepreneurship are integrated into both analysis and support models.
Strategically important in a new innovation landscape in Umeå
The initiative comes at a time when the innovation support system in Umeå is being consolidated and further strengthened. In spring 2025, it became clear that the academic incubators, together with Umeå Science Park, will become a new company with a common CEO. The merger opens up for more efficient, unified and robust support for knowledge-intensive business ideas, which also favours the initiative towards KKB within Interreg Aurora.
The fact that we are now entering this as lead partner is strategically important. The merger, which formally came into effect on 1 February, allows us to pool resources, expertise and networks. With this project, we ensure that cultural and creative industries are not only included, but developed with a clear cutting edge and international connection," says Emil Hägglund.
Project partners
The project is implemented together with the following organisations:
- eXpression Umeå (Sweden, lead partner)
- Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu / Vaasan amk (Finland)
- Oulun yliopisto / Oulun yo (Finland)
- Kunnskapsparken Bodø (Norway)
- Nord University (Norway)
The project Creative Networks - for growth and digital transformation will start on 1 March 2026 and run until December 2028.
Photo: Evelina Rönnbäck
