NEED: The need for the project is based on the development need and potential of companies in the creative fields; creative industries produce content, services and products for both consumer customers and companies in other industries. However, the utilization of expertise in the creative field requires networking of companies, refinement of products and services, sales promotion, marketing and increasing expertise, as well as interaction with companies in other industries. In the business development of companies in the creative industries, the challenge has been the fact that there have not been offered advice that serves the special needs of companies in the industry. The utilization of new technologies in cooperation with educational institutions also opens up new opportunities for locating film productions in the region. This project aims to respond to the development needs of the above-mentioned creative fields and thereby promote the field's development potential. MEASURES: The project measures are divided into the following four work packages (WP): WP1 Improving business conditions: - Group training events for companies in the creative fields on different themes. - Joint trips to trade fairs and other events in Finland and abroad. WP2 Starting the cluster operation: - Development workshops for companies in creative fields to refine and develop product and service ideas. - Creative industries monthly coffee events at the premises of companies and stakeholders. - A "collision event" (SOHJO) of representatives of companies and stakeholders from creative fields and other industries once a year. WP3 Starting the business advisory service: - Business Joensuu's business advisory service for creative industries. - Helping companies in creative fields to apply for various funding and grants. - Financial information about financing options. - Promoting managerial activities. WP4 Development of EFFC operations: - Attracting new productions to North Karelia. - Expanding the virtual filming location bank with 360 photos. - Experimentation and piloting of real-time shooting location tours. - Getting to know new technologies and testing them in piloting and implementing real-time filming location tours. - Increasing EFFC's recognition and visibility internationally. RESULTS: The results of the project are divided by work package as follows: WP1 Improving business conditions: - Number of interactive training events (8) and participant lists. As a result of the trainings, the business and know-how of companies in the creative fields will increase. - Revenue development of companies in creative industries (€). - Number of transactions created (amount / €). - Participant lists and trip reports for fairs and other joint trips, the number of contacts generated. WP2 Starting the cluster operation: - Number of new product and service ideas developed in development workshops (10). - Number of monthly coffee events (about 20) and participant lists. - Report on the implementation of SOHJO events and benefits for companies with participant information. WP3 Starting the business advisory service: - Business consulting service for creative industries for Business Joensuu with its content. - List of companies and operators in the creative fields that have applied for various funding and grants, including applied for grant/funding (€) and the percentage of positive decisions (%). WP4 Development of EFFC operations: - The number of new filming locations in the virtual filming location bank (about 20). - Quantities of new productions; export income to the region (€).