Problem addressed

Individuals in the cultural sector are more likely to be self-employed or to be working in temporary employment. Across the EU, the proportion of people who were self-employed in the creative industry was more than double the average observed for the whole economy in 2018 – 33% and 14%, respectively. Freelancing is more common in the creative sector but may result in job insecurity and considerable variations in income over time. To avoid this, freelancers need to rely on strong professional networks to find and retain employment. However, initiatives that help freelancers in specific sectors develop such networks are limited.

Innovative solution

Create Responsible is the first e-cooperative in Slovenia to use a digital platform to support, connect and empower freelancers, part-time workers and the unemployed, particularly those in the creative sector. The core function of the platform is to create an online space in which designers and artists can connect with industry professionals and with each other. Through this online space, the cooperative aims to help creative workers to:

• maximise their chances of finding decent work;
• find partnerships with other creative workers;
• share concerns, challenges and solutions related to freelancing;
• access training to expand their skillset and knowledge base, to remain competitive in the markets they operate in.

In addition to the digital platform, Create Responsible opened a ‘buy responsible’ physical store. This is the first physical store that connects different socially conscious producers in Slovenia. The store also offers a testing ground for new, precarious businesses in the creative sector that are not yet sure whether their product is ready for the market.

Key results and benefits

Between December 2017 and December 2018, Create Responsible successfully engaged over 200 designers and artists in Slovenia across 9 municipalities. The project has strengthened the entrepreneurial competences of members through online mentoring, training and education. It has provided them with access to new markets and opportunities and created a network of skilled individuals who can communicate with each other, share ideas and build valuable professional networks.

Through its platform, the cooperative has also promoted social enterprises, encouraging businesses to implement socially conscious business decisions in their day-to-day activities. The network also provides prospective buyers of services with a safe and reliable place in which to find individuals that can support their business in the creative sector.

Potential for mainstreaming

The total budget of the project was EUR 107 000. It was co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the Ministry of Economy. The initiative has strong potential to be transferred to another context given its online nature which has low implementation costs.

Create Responsible presented its practice at the European Parliament Social Economy Intergroup in 2019 and has attended several international conferences on innovative social movements and cooperatives. EU-level visibility has increased interest in the project and there is a future ambition to develop the platform on a European level and establish an international e-cooperative.