European project at Novia aims to bring together museums, galleries and creators

12.1.2026
News Culture as a Force for Change Press release
synergypressfoto

Novia University of Applied Sciences, together with partners from the Czech Republic and Sweden, is launching the three‑year project Synergy Across Sectors (SXS), aimed at promoting collaboration between museums, galleries, creative actors and businesses. The project seeks to strengthen innovation, participation and sustainability by developing new models for how cooperation between these sectors can be organised through a range of activities.

The project is funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme for adult education, with a total budget of 400,000 euros. It is carried out under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and with support from the Hradec Králové Region.

European partners

The aim is to develop new European collaboration models in which museums and galleries function as open learning hubs and meeting places for culture, creativity and industry, with a focus on innovation, knowledge exchange and long‑term relevance.

Project partners include the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové – Centre for Creative Museology, and the Prague‑based game studio Charles Games in the Czech Republic; the creative hub Subtopia in Botkyrka, Sweden; and Novia’s Research, Development and Innovation unit at the Department of Arts and Culture in Jakobstad.

“We look forward to identifying win‑win collaboration opportunities together with cultural actors, creators, museums and companies. Our goal is to develop concrete cooperation concepts that work for both small and large organisations,” says Malin Winberg, project manager at Novia University of Applied Sciences.

Upcoming activities and development work

In early 2026, a communication platform will be launched to share examples of good practices and interesting events related to cross‑sector collaboration in Finland and internationally. During the spring, training in storytelling and Learning Lab activities supporting cross‑sector cooperation will also begin. Charles Games is developing an application featuring methodological approaches to collaboration, with a pilot version to be released in mid‑2027.

Long‑term significance and European impact

The project contributes to creating sustainable structures for cooperation, where knowledge and experience are shared across organisational and national borders, with the ambition that the models can be scaled up and applied in additional European contexts.

SXS addresses current challenges faced by cultural institutions – the need for digital transformation, finding new ways to reach audiences, and increasing openness to interdisciplinary partnerships. The project systematically brings together the cultural sector, business sector and creative industries within the framework of adult education.

“If this sounds relevant for the organisation you represent, please feel free to contact any of us,” adds Daniel Ainasoja, project manager at Novia University of Applied Sciences.

The project places strong emphasis on sustainability, inclusive working methods and accessibility for freelancers, small businesses and individuals from underrepresented groups. A key outcome of the project is a reproducible European collaboration model that can also be transferred to other countries.

Photo: Oona Rohde (taken at the project’s kick‑off seminar)

 
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