On 23 September, the European Parliament gave the go-ahead to the proposal to make 2009 the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. This is both encouraging and challenging for EIDD Design for All Europe, its 23 member organisations and the rest of the innovation community.

The European Year of Creativity and Innovation is a major initiative involving Member States, EU institutions and a wide range of stakeholders. The aim is to exploit and promote creative and innovative approaches and initiatives in different domains of human activity and at all levels. While education and culture will be at the centre of the Year, it also feeds into many other policy areas, such as enterprise, information society, employment and regional policy.

EIDD intends to explore multiple avenues for expressing the Year and its objectives: we will mark our presence on the European creativity agenda. Partnerships have already been decided with the European Capitals of Culture for 2009, Linz and Vilnius, where EIDD will have an active presence with different kinds of events.

To all EIDD members: Let’s make 2009 a great year, showing how creativity and innovation can have real social impact!

Press release 23 September: 2009 to be the European Year of Creativity and Innovation