How can we address the behavioural changes needed to reduce energy consumption? This shift can be difficult to grasp, and this is where art, culture, and creative methods are essential.

The CCI4Change project developed a new collaboration model in which local authorities (municipalities, cities, and regions) work in synergy with Culture and Creative Industry (CCI) practitioners. The project was grounded in the premise that CCI professionals have the skills and tools to engage citizens—an essential factor in driving behavioural and attitudinal change toward a more sustainable society. Throughout the project, these skills and tools were made more accessible to local authorities to support effective collaboration on goal-oriented initiatives such as energy reduction.

HOW?

• The CCI4Change project developed and tested a new collaboration model between local authorities and creative professionals, aiming to influence citizens’ energy-consuming behaviours.

• The project offered capacity building for Culture and Creative Industry practitioners, strengthening their ability to work with local authorities.

• It enhanced the skills and capacities of local authorities and explored the role of an intermediary organisation as a bridge builder within the collaboration.

• The project implemented five practical pilot demonstrations, where CCI actors worked creatively with citizens in the Skåne region, the City of Kotka, and Jūrmala Municipality.

• Based on the experience gained from the collaboration model and the pilot activities, the project produced a practical toolset. This toolset is now available as an open resource designed to inspire and support local authorities across the Baltic Sea Region in working innovatively with CCIs to address complex societal challenges.

• The project also produced five in-depth case studies on energy-consumption behavioural change. These studies serve as tangible examples of citizen-engaged collaboration and highlight the potential of such partnerships to contribute to sustainability goals.