Cultural and Creative Industries as Drivers of the EU’s Triple Transition: Needs, Challenges, and Future Skills

The linear model of production and consumption has not only led to extreme and irreversible environmental damage but has also widened social disparities. This backdrop necessitates alternative approaches, with the circular and regenerative economies emerging as compelling counter-models. Within this framework, the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) are uniquely positioned to facilitate the EU’s triple transition—green, social, and digital—by harnessing innovative solutions that promote environmental regeneration, entrepreneurial impact, and human-centered approaches.

This Research Topic aims to explore how the CCIs can influence and catalyze significant transformative shifts across socio-economic, ecological, and digital domains. More specifically, the Research Topic seeks to examine the integration of nature-based solutions (NEBs) and creative design-thinking with a circular and human-centered approach within the CCIs. Strong sustainability will be explored in terms of collaboration and participatory processes; cultural workers’ rights and fair remuneration; socio-ecological transformations; iterative design-thinking; innovative, context-based solutions; and strongly sustainable cultural entrepreneurial practices; amongst others.

We welcome contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• How can CCIs professionals experiment with and implement collaborative initiatives aimed at bringing about behavioral change?
• How can the CCIs develop and implement a human-centered framework that respects planetary boundaries?
• What are the existing tools and standards for regenerative practices within the CCIs?
• How can the CCIs enhance cross-border and transdisciplinary collaboration and cross-fertilize ideas with other sectors of society?
• What upskilling and reskilling do CCIs professionals require to successfully navigate the triple transition?
• How can CCIs’ experiences and practices contribute to the local, regional, and global policy debate as well as scientific processes and entrepreneurial practices?

Information and Instructions for Authors

This Research Topic accepts any of the article types listed below, except for Editorial (Editorials are submitted exclusively by the Topic Editors).

Image credit: Frank Cone

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: CCIs, strong sustainability, triple transition, regenerative solutions, human-centered approach, design-thinking, circular practices, impactful cultural entrepeneurship, behavioral change, cross-border collaboration

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.