Grant Final Report: Consolidate the Creative Ecosystem in Moldova through Support for COR Creative Association, Artcor and Mediacor Centers

The specific objectives are to improve workforce development, empower communities, enhance entrepreneurship, and build capacity. The COR Association and the two centers, Artcor and Mediacor, have implemented activities under six pillars. Artcor Creative Industries Center has developed its main activities for members, residents, and the creative community. In December 2023, there were 56 members in the COR Association, 39 residents in Artcor, and 17 legal entities in Mediacor. Creative fields covered by Artcor and Mediacor residents and coworkers include graphic design, web design, advertising and marketing, audio and video production, copywriting, music, animation, visual arts, interior design, and architectural design. Mediacor Media Production Center has supported communities through facilitating networking and connections, organizing education activities, and implementing entrepreneurship and startup programs. Ten big programs have been implemented, including the Artcor school, Artists Program, Creative and Media Residency Program, Creative Export Program, Digitalization of SMEs, Media Technology Program, Creative Speakers Program, Pitch.md Program, Industry Advocacy, and GROW capacity building for COR Members. The main partners are AMTAP and Moldova State University, on whose campus Artcor and Mediacor centers are located. COR Association's strategic partner is FTA, supported by USAID and Sweden, with which a Grant Agreement was signed in the total amount of $ for the period 10 June 2022 – 9 December 2023. Partnerships have also been established with Creative Estonia Organization, Romanian Cultural Institute, UNESCO, UNDP, US Embassy, OTI, and UNHCR. The grant was approved on 10th of March 2023 and had 4 modifications. The first grant was approved for 3 months, immediately after the war in Ukraine started, with the main goal to support Creative centers / Artcor and Mediacor, as well as COR association to create and implement contingency plans as well as provide tailored services to the community. During the first 3 months of the war, from March to June 2022, contingency plans for the Artcor center were developed. Artcor and Mediacor developed an Inclusive Residency Program hosting Ukrainian refugees in IT, digital, and creative sectors and integrating them into the community. At least 500 Ukrainian refugees were hosted in the Centers. Activities for Ukrainian children were also implemented during the first wave of relocations. Artcor held events on an ongoing basis for 500 children of different age groups from Ukraine. Volunteers from Ukraine and Moldova took part in the organization. Artcor and Mediacor continued their educational and community activities. Three courses were organized by Artcor school, and five workshops and one event for K12 were held. The Creative Industries Festival, 3rd edition, was organized by Artcor in the beginning of June 2022, with over 2000 visitors participating in the events. The COR Association gathered the creative community at Artcor at the beginning of the war and developed the national campaign “Moldova pentru pace” / “Moldova for Peace”. The campaign consists of solidarity through thoughts of peace for Ukrainian citizens, by placing anti-war messages, alongside the logo and symbol of the campaign. The campaign was promoted in BBC, CNN, TVR Moldova, Radio Moldova, RAI TV Italy, and other media outlets. Implemented activities under the Grant Agreement include the Creative and Digital Media Education Program, which aimed to develop skills in creative and digital media verticals. The program included 18 skills development courses, 22 workshops, lectures, and master classes, a residency program for 10 students, and the development or update of 30 BA/MA curricula on “new media”. The Future Professions Campaign was also implemented, aiming to promote new professions in the creative sector.