Tapping into the Creative potential of the NPP regionThe Creative Edge project will be a Pan-regional initiative focussed on creating and piloting a practical model for the sustainable growth of regional Creative Economy (CE) businesses through two main themes, addressing Access issues for regional creative enterprises. The project seeks to directly address two main recognised access barriers to the sustained growth of local indigenous creative businesses in peripheral regions.Less...Aim & Objectives:The Creative Edge project intends to create a practical programme to work on the challenges identified in focus groups and consultation in the peripheral regions as being of key concern to creatives i.e. accessing new markets, job opportunities, scalability, collaboration, information exchange, business development skills and affordable creative spaces.The primary aims of the project are: The mapping of the creative sector in peripheral European regions: an extensive exercise that will contribute to the growing academic literature on the impact of creativity on economic well-being. The creation of an Export platform: providing creative industries from peripheral areas with the opportunity to access international markets via real and virtual presences. An Employment bank: for potential employees and employers in an economy where skills requirement vary at an increased rate. This bank will provide virtual and real meeting places for information and knowledge sharing. Creative places: one of the most obvious impacts of the current economic downturn is the rate of vacancy of high-street outlets. This part of the project seeks to match emerging creative talent with available space to create and showcase their work. Achievements: The growth of the Creative Economy in the West of IrelandAs I see it “The Creative Edge Project” (Publication in ‘Research Matters’, Published by NUI, Galway)