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A recent study published by the Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture (NDPC) suggests, amongst other findings, that there are seven important cross-sectoral innovation elements that should be taken into account when developing policy in this area. They are:

• Connectivity is the key to the preparatory phase of cross-sectoral innovation teamwork;
• CCIs’ roles as mediators or initiators of cross-sectoral innovation to be better understood;
• Multilevel approaches should embrace innovation risks taken by diverse partners; 
• A broader definition of CCI innovation and its impact (including "soft" innovation) to be adopted;
• Attention needs to be given to the long-term assessment of impact and tracking of results;
• A broader vision of cross-innovation in relation to sustainable development goals (SDG) is timely;
• Legal frameworks to be developed to facilitate CCIs' involvement in cross-sectoral innovation.

was carried out within the framework of an EU-funded  “Cross-sectoral cooperation and innovation within Creative and Cultural Industries - practices, opportunities and policies within the area of the Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture”. The project was conceived and its activities supported by the NDPC secretariat.

One of the aims of this project was to support the NDPC's 2021–2024 strategy development. However, the results of the project should be of interest to policymakers and representatives of CCIs and industries across the Northern Dimension (ND) region. NDPC is hopeful that the ideas presented in the study will help to trigger new policy improvements and cross-innovation activities in the wider ND innovation ecosystem.

The key objective of the study was to assess the ability of CCIs to connect with other sectors and contribute to cross-sectoral innovation. It provides the foundation for defining CCI inter-sectoral "cross-innovation" potential and international opportunities related to the ND countries. A mixed-method approach that forms the background of the study was based on the data analysis of  from 11 countries that were collected in the course of nine months, thanks to the support of over 100 contributors.

The wider components of the project also included four thematic Experts' Focus Group events, four Policy Briefs, one Scientific journal publication and other articles, as well as wrap-up events. Information about the project and its results are available on the new web resource:

The  of the project on 11 March, 2021, included the presentation of the findings of the study, as well as a feedback and networking session with CCI representatives and experts from across the ND region.