This report assesses the current state and future potential of cultural and creative sectors (CCS) in the nine outermost regions of the European Union (EU): Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, and Saint Martin (France); the Azores and Madeira (Portugal); and the Canary Islands (Spain).
Global trends, such as increases in cultural tourism, trade in creative goods and services, and FDI in CCS offer significant opportunities for EU outermost regions to expand their cultural and creative sectors, promote synergies with tourism and help drive job creation. In addition, CCS policies can also boost well-being outcomes and social cohesion through preserving and promoting local cultural heritage and encouraging cultural participation. CCS policy which capitalises on these global trends, whilst recognising the specific context of EU outermost regions, could help promote these areas and contribute to local development.
This report was prepared by the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), led by Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, Director, and the OECD Development Centre, led by Ragnheidur Arnadottir, Director. The report is part of the OECD-EC project on ‘Transforming economies in EU outermost regions (EU ORs): fostering learning and making the most of global interconnectedness,’ funded by the EU Commission Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy. Over more than two years, this project has supported a process of dialogue and knowledge sharing between EU ORs and international partners to identify opportunities for sustainable value creation and enhanced participation in global and regional value chains. This report is the one of several final outputs of the projects that include other publication that touch upon the ocean economy, renewable energies, innovation and patenting activities and agro-food sector.
