The Action Plan aims to implement a set of measures to develop a centre for entrepreneurship and creativity
Slovenska Bistrica is one of the Slovenian oldest towns. Its impressive historic heritage surrounds you while walking in the center.
Despite all the natural and cultural endowments, the city is struggling to maintain this heritage in a state that allows for a better living, working and playing. Indeed, a large amount of transit traffic and empty, unused spaces, which are mostly privately owned, are among the major challenges that the city is facing.
The HUB-IN project will contribute to the revitalisation and invigoration of the city centre. This will enable new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, mainly from the creative and cultural sector, and boost the preservation of cultural identity and heritage through innovation and entrepreneurship. – Ivan Žagar, Mayor
The Crouzet, where heritage is valued as well as value-generating
Slovenska Bistrica is striving to create an environment that attracts local entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, craftspeople, start-ups, and businesses. A HUB that can encourage collaboration across sectors by adopting a long-term view. An innovative ecosystem that will support the transformation of the old town into a flourishing and inviting place.
Slovenska Bistrica has a rich tradition of craftship, yet it is widely regarded that traditional craft needs the touch of modern creativity in order to retain or bring back its economic potential. The challenge is to find new and innovative ways to regenerate its traditional industries while boosting the creative sector to encourage sustainable development.
To support the regeneration of the historic area, the city will transform the historic building Crouzet into a centre for entrepreneurship and creativity, where entrepreneurial, cultural, artistic, craft and educational activities will be encouraged (creation of enabling conditions – spaces, low rent, additional services), supported (accelerator programme), and cross-fertilised (collaboration initiatives, innovation projects).
The action plan is grounded on the co-design and co-creation process that led to a clear roadmap. Three actions will guide the development of a future-proof Slovenska Bistrica:
Action 1 – Crouzet HUB, a central space for creativity, innovation and heritage – will set up a central space – the Crouzet – for nurturing entrepreneurship, creativity, collaboration and innovation, to boost local skills and business/employment opportunities, while supporting the regeneration of the heritage buildings.
Action 2 – Crouzet start-up accelerator programme – will develop an accelerator programme for the creative, craft and cultural/art sectors to boost entrepreneurship, innovation, and encourage job creation. Slovenska Bistrica aims to contribute to local economic prosperity and resilience by stimulating new jobs development with an emphasis on the creative sector.
Action 3 – Mechanism of support for small local projects – aims to accelerate urban regeneration of the historic city centre through participatory revitalisation approaches, such as placemaking, community co-creation, tactical urbanism, crowdsourcing and match-funding. The goal is to invite local creative communities to participate in the HUA revitalisation process in partnership with the Municipality, developing an inclusive HUA that will stimulate people to meet in it and develop new ties.
The vision of Slovenska Bistrica is to become a lively, inclusive, people-centric city, where heritage is valued as well as value-generating. The Crouzet has the potential to become a central space for nurturing sustainable business models, and arts, while boosting local skills and employment opportunities.
Learn more about the project here.
