From 28–30 September 2024, the Global Creative Economy Council (GCEC) visited Almaty in Kazakhstan for a series of events and workshops supporting the development of the country’s creative economy. Organised in partnership with the Creative Industries Alliance of Qazaqstan (CIAQ) and with the support of Visit Almaty, the visit brought together GCEC experts, local leaders and industry practitioners to exchange ideas and explore strategic pathways for Kazakhstan’s creative sector.
The GCEC – an initiative implemented by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) and the British Council – unites leading academics, practitioners, policymakers and investors from across five continents. Its mission is to provide inclusive perspectives on critical policy issues, bridging the Global South and Global North to foster collaborative approaches to the creative economy. Through initiatives like this study visit, the GCEC brings together experts to address challenges and share innovative practices that can benefit creative industries worldwide.
The visit kicked off on 28 September with a public event at Transforma, Dom 36, where GCEC members shared their insights on topics such as impact investment, the role of intermediaries, community-led creative projects and the development of creative industry parks. Participants gained a unique international perspective on these topics, with discussions exploring how these ideas could shape the future of Kazakhstan’s creative sector.
On 29 September, GCEC experts led an in-depth workshop with CIAQ, offering guidance on strategy development to help CIAQ shape a roadmap for the creative economy in Kazakhstan. Later that day, the Almaty Creative Hub hosted GCEC members for a tour, showcasing how the hub supports local creative professionals.
The visit concluded on 30 September with a city tour organised by Visit Almaty, giving GCEC members the chance to experience Almaty’s cultural highlights and connect with its vibrant creative community.
We warmly thank our partners for making the study tour a truly enriching experience for us all.
You can view photos from the event on our Flickr account and access the speaker presentations in the ‘Downloads’ section below.