Creative Spark. Development of entrepreneurship and creative economy in higher education
Creative Spark is a five year initiative of the British Council (launched in 2018) to support the international university and institutional partnerships to develop enterprise skills and creative economy in seven countries – Ukraine, South Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia) and Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan).
Creative Spark covers several activity areas. In Ukraine, we work on developing enterprise education at the level of institutions, individual students and emerging entrepreneurs, as well as at the policy making level.
Creative Spark key elements
Institutional partnerships development
The Creative Spark partnership fund supports long-term collaboration between institutions and universities in the UK and the programme countries. Currently, there are 10 Creative Spark partnership projects running in Ukraine. They involve 10 UK-based universities working with 13 Ukrainian universities and 11 organisations. Overall, in seven programme countries, Creative Spark network includes 50 partnership projects.
Student programmes and activities
Creative Spark partner organisations initiate and implement activities that aim to develop students’ enterprise skills. This includes a variety of formats – ranging from one-day presentations and idea competitions to long-term education curriculum programmes.
Policies to support enterprise education development
In Creative Spark, we also contribute to forming strategic approaches towards developing business competencies in the higher education system of Ukraine. Our annual Ukraine Creative Spark Policy Forum brings together programme partners and stakeholders to discuss which initiatives and policies in this sector should be implemented. Forum is also a platform where we share the UK relevant experience and models.
English language programmes
Apart from enterprise programmes, Creative Spark partners also offer students to improve their business English language skills. Students get access to the British Council certified programmes and can attend the English clubs.
