Germany Study Visit
As part of the INSPIRE Project, study visits to Germany were conducted with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, the General Directorate of Development Agencies, Istanbul Development Agency, Izmir Development Agency, and the Competitive Sectors Program.
The first visit took place in Berlin at the ifa Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations, where the delegation gained insights into the institute’s working principles, research focus areas, and European cultural policies.
The second visit was to CIRCE (Creative Impact Research Centre Europe) and the Kultur und Kreativpiloten (National Creative Pilot Entrepreneurship Award) campus, where ongoing projects and innovative initiatives were explored. The visit concluded with a meeting with Professor Dr. Julius Heinicke, Chair of the UNESCO Chair in Cultural Policy at Hildesheim University, who traveled to Berlin to share information about the chair’s activities and the IN SITU program, a capacity-building initiative for cultural and creative industries in rural areas.
On the second day of the study visit, the delegation visited Aufbau Haus, a cultural and creative hub that integrates design and community engagement. Later, a tour was conducted at the Creative Village in Holzmarkt 25, where participants examined the role of Holzmarkt in cultural transformation and urban development.
The final stop of the day was the Berlin State Senate’s Department for Culture and Social Cohesion, where an in-depth discussion was held on Berlin’s cultural policies and financial strategies for supporting the creative industries.
The third day of the study visit began with a visit to DE:HIVE – the Game, Art, and Technology Center at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin). A guided tour by one of its founders, Professor Thomas Bremer, highlighted research areas, game development, and the role of artificial intelligence in production processes, showcasing the vast potential at the intersection of technology and the arts.
Following this, the delegation met with representatives from the Culture4Climate initiative to learn about sustainability-driven projects in the cultural sector. Presentations by Selina Kahle and Margarethe M. Kreuser showcased impactful efforts to integrate global climate goals into the cultural industry and introduced projects under the Sustainability Arts and Culture Network (2N2K). The session emphasized the crucial role of arts and culture in promoting a sustainable future.
The second phase of the study visit continued in Cologne, offering an opportunity to explore the city's vibrant creative ecosystem.
The first stop in Cologne was the Cologne Business Economic Development Agency, where a meeting with Jan-Paul Laarmann and Christoph Kohlhaas provided valuable insights into innovative initiatives supporting creative industries in Cologne and beyond.
Next, the delegation visited the Esports Player Foundation at Xperion Cologne, where Steffen Wilmers delivered an engaging presentation on supporting talented esports players and the foundation’s efforts in fostering young talent.
Cologne's pioneering approach to creativity, innovation, and sustainability added significant value to the study visit.
On the final day of the program, the delegation explored Europe’s innovation vision in culture and creativity. A meeting with Oliver Heerde at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) provided an opportunity to discuss current challenges faced by creative industries in Germany and Europe and assess the role of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative in addressing these challenges.
The study visit concluded with a reflective session where participants shared their learnings and insights gained throughout the program.
