C’man – Cultural Management adapted to new needs

<< Background >>The Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS) in Europe, once vibrant and employing millions, faced challenges including globalization, digital transitions, and COVID-19's impact. A survey highlighted the urgent need for updated skills among CCS professionals. The sector lacked adequate training in project, change, and green transition management. Recognizing this, a partnership aimed to bridge these gaps through the C'man project, targeting upskilling for Cultural Managers in Europe.<< Objectives >>The C’man project had five main objectives that are in alignment with European trends and needs of the Cultural and Creative Sectors, as well as with the Erasmus+ programme priorities such as the Adaptation of VET to labour market and the fight against climate change.1) ADAPT VET IN THE FIELD OF CULTURAL MANAGEMENT TO THE NEW NEEDS OF CCS by designing five new targeted materials (3 Guides, 1 toolbox and 1 training scheme) which meets the specific upskilling needs of the sector;2) BRIDGE A GAP OF KNOW-HOW IN THE CCS by developing project, change and green transition management skills of Cultural Managers based on the specifics of the sector;3) BOOST THE COMPETITIVENESS AND RESILIENCE OF CCS by ensuring a better match between the supply of skills and the new demands of the labour market through new VET opportunities and materials in Cultural Management;4) REINFORCE CCS ROLE IN THE FIGHT OF CLIMATE CHANGE by developing green skills for Cultural Managers to deliver ecofriendly cultural projects;5) ENABLE MORE CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS TO SCALE UP AND INTERNATIONALIZE THEIR CULTURAL PROJECTS by supplying Cultural Managers with the right mix of skills.<< Implementation >>Various project activities were utilized, including Transnational Project Meetings, Learning Teaching Training activities, Stakeholder Forum work, Project Result production, and Multiplier Events, all aimed at achieving project objectives effectively. Transnational Project Meetings were pivotal in planning, co-creating, evaluating, and finalizing Results. The Project Results involved research, development, testing, and finalization, with each Result designed as a standalone resource but also complementing each other. The guides and the toolbox targeted Cultural Managers and VET trainers in Cultural Management, while the training scheme focused on VET trainers. Learning Teaching Training activities and Job shadowing & Knowledge exchange workshops were instrumental in knowledge exchange and testing results. The Multiplier Events aimed to promote Results, transfer knowledge, and encourage uptake. A Stakeholder Forum facilitated discussions and evaluations, ensuring project resources addressed real-life needs and national contexts effectively.<< Results >>The C’man project was meticulously planned to develop materials to enhance the skills of Cultural Managers and enable VET trainers in Cultural Management to meet the evolving labour market demands of the CCS. Through close collaboration with partners and the target group, the project aimed to produce five new resources: three guides focusing on PM² Management, Green Transition Management, and Change Management to empower Cultural Managers with relevant skills; a toolbox to complement the guides with additional tools; and a training scheme to make the materials adaptable for VET providers. The project anticipated specific outcomes, including engagement from cultural organizations in the Stakeholder Forum, application of the guides and toolbox by Cultural Managers, and adoption of the materials by VET trainers. Long-term goals encompassed changing perceptions of VET in Cultural Management, professionalizing Cultural Managers in project management, integrating European Green Deal principles, enhancing adaptability to change, improving resilience and competitiveness in the CCS, promoting uptake of results, reducing disparities in training quality, creating a modern professional environment, gaining a competitive advantage, enhancing capacity and professionalism, improving internationalization strategies, reinforcing cooperation with the VET sector, expanding networks, and establishing an eco-friendly image aligned with the European Green Deal.