European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009

The modern world puts emphasis on better use of knowledge and rapid innovation. There is a need for skills and competences that enable people to embrace change as an opportunity and to be open to new ideas in a culturally diverse, knowledge-based society. Europe needs to boost its capacity for creativity and innovation to respond effectively to the challenges and opportunities of globalisation.

With the slogan "Imagine. Create. Innovate", the European Year of Creativity and Innovation aims to raise awareness of the importance of creativity and innovation as key competences for personal, social and economic development. The EU will offer a framework for raising awareness of the issues concerned and promoting a policy debate on how to increase Europe's creative and innovative potential. As for previous European Years, measures will include promotion campaigns, events and initiatives at European, national, regional and local levels.