The object of the contract is the continuation, operation and further development of the competence center for the North Rhine-Westphalian creative industries CREATIVE.NRW with the aim of improving the location conditions for the industry in order to make North Rhine-Westphalia even stronger than before as a key location for the cultural and creative industries in to establish Germany and Europe.

In order to generate cross-innovations, the network structure is to be strengthened both within the sub-markets of the creative industries and cooperation between creative industry players and companies from other sectors as well as universities, research institutions and other associations, competence centers and facilities in North Rhine Westphalia will be further intensified.

The tasks of the competence center include networking relevant stakeholders, initiating and supporting (cross) innovations, identifying future topics, contributing to knowledge transfer, qualifying creative people for the market and increasing the visibility of North Rhine-Westphalia as a creative industry location.

The CREATIVE.NRW competence center is the central point of contact. Its activities are intended to make better use of the potential of the North Rhine-Westphalian cultural and creative industries and the impetus for innovation emanating from it, and to increase the perception and visibility of North Rhine-Westphalia's cultural and creative industries.

The subject of the contract consists of the following work packages:

1. operation of a branch office:

A branch office based in North Rhine-Westphalia is required. The office serves as a contact point for stakeholders as well as for inquiries from companies, founders, etc. In the office, the ongoing tasks of the competence network are recorded, coordinated and processed. The head office of the head office should be located at an easily accessible central location in NRW (location coordination with the AG required). The work of the office can also be spread over several locations. The office must provide the necessary work equipment and office space. Accessibility must be guaranteed by telephone and electronic means at least from Monday to Friday between 9 AM and 4 PM.

2. Optimizing and expanding networking:

A key task of the competence center is the targeted expansion of network structures in the North Rhine-Westphalian creative industries. To this end, the contractor (AN) is to further develop and expand the following network activities in particular:

-Creative.spaces: With the 20 creative.spaces, CREATIVE.NRW has created a strong regional network in North Rhine-Westphalia in recent years (Creative.spaces - Creative.NRW) that connects creative people with each other as well as with actors from business, society, administration and politics and initiates joint projects. The contractor's task is to further develop Creative.spaces.

-Creative Industry Talk: At least once a year, the Competence Center organises a “Creative Industry Talk”. For this purpose, 20 to 25 participants from various industries are invited by the competence center in consultation with the client.

-Matchmaking with companies from other sectors: The task of the contractor is to develop a matchmaking format with participants from the creative industries and companies from other sectors and to implement this at least once a year. It can be assumed that there will be a 1-2 day face-to-face event with approx. 35 participants.

3. Ensuring and expanding knowledge transfer:

The task of the competence center is to improve the transfer of knowledge about changing business models and possible innovations through the creative industries, both within and outside the creative industries. This is achieved through the active participation of the competence center in creative industry events. As a cooperation partner, the competence center participates in at least five creative industry trade events annually and supports them in an advisory, organizational and financial manner, e.g. with panels, specialist lectures, speakers. The competence center also participates in external events with information stands and its own staff. Around 10 events per year can be expected.

4. Driving forward creative industry start-ups:

In order to professionalize creative professionals for the requirements of the market and to drive start-ups forward, the competence center is launching consultation hours for companies in the creative industries that are planning to implement innovative ideas into a business model during the first contract year. Creative professionals can contact the competence center to obtain initial information about possible further steps towards founding a creative industry or information on possible partners and supporters. With the consultation hours on offer, the competence center addresses the individual needs of creative industry start-up projects. Approximately 50 two-hour consultation hours (digital or in person) can be assumed annually.

5. make innovations in the creative industries visible and drive them forward:

The task of the competence center is to develop and implement an annual one-day format (congress, symposium, conference, etc.) that makes the innovative performance of the North Rhine-Westphalian creative industries and thus North Rhine-Westphalia visible as a creative industry location nationally and throughout Europe. The format, with approx. 150 - 200 participants, serves to exchange views on key future topics and the possibilities of the creative industries to address these topics in an innovative way. The tasks of the AN also include the organization of, for example, moderation, technology, speakers, catering.

6. Information and advice on financing creative industry business models:

The competence center's task is to provide information and advice on funding opportunities at state, federal and EU level. In addition, a half-day format on financing is to be organized annually.

7. communication measures:

a) The existing website should continue to be operated, continuously updated and further developed.

b) Press and public relations work must be further developed.

c) Social media: All activities should be communicated via social media channels.

8. Jour fixes, reports, evaluation:

a) It is necessary to plan a fixed monthly Jour (approx. 1-2 hours) in Düsseldorf

b) A report on CREATIVE.NRW's performance is expected once a year.

c) In addition, a regular evaluation of the performance of the competence center should be carried out.