Creative Economy Project

The Creative Economy Project contained three main areas of policy to deliver on its objectives. These were; policymaking and ecosystem strengthening; access to financial support; and technical support for sectoral commercialization and internationalization. 

Component 1: institutional strengthening 

The project laid the foundations for the Creative Ecosystem (CE) by consolidating existing ecosystem actors and creating the Federation of Creative Industries (FIC) – which represents ten different trade associations – and a dedicated working group (Table #11) in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Members represented are: 

• Management Unit of the Presidency of the Republic 

• Office of the First Lady 

• Ministry of Industry and Commerce 

• REDIEX (a specialized agency under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce)  

• National Secretariat of Culture 

• National Secretariat of Tourism 

• National Directorate of Intellectual Property 

• Paraguayan Institute of Crafts 

• CIRD Foundation 

• Federation of Creative Industries (FIC), and 

• The Paraguayan Industrial Union (UIP) 

Under the scope of the project, the quantitative and qualitative Diagnostic Study of the Paraguayan Creative Economy made the creative sector visible for the first time, showing that it represents of 2.5% of the GDP and employs more than 50 thousand Paraguayans. Based on these statistics, the Strategic Plan for the Creative Economy was co-created. 

The project yielded a total of 7 new public policies tailored for the creative economy (e.g. Regulation of the Audiovisual Law and of the Film Commission of Asunción, Regulation of the Export of Services Law, Law 6106 “on the Promotion of Audiovisuals”, among others). 

Component 2: Development of financial instruments for the creative sector 

The project launched “creative bonds” which were co-financed grants and received by 64 separate projects within the sector. A total grant amount of USD $312,000, was matched with approximately USD $480,000. The Creative Bonds were designed to have impact along the different value chains and build a bridge between the traditional economy and creative industries. They were aimed at encouraging the development of cultural and creative works, products and services with originality, along with innovation and technology. 

A social innovation financing fund was also made available which supported vulnerable youth and women with skills in art, technology and innovation to work with micro-enterprises. This benefited 87 micro-entrepreneurs from the departments of Misiones and Itapúa. 

The project also placed an emphasis on technical training and the specialization of professionals in the creative sector. In cooperation with trade associations, universities and training centres, they developed and co-finances several courses including a Diploma for Innovation and Creativity Managers.  

Component 3: internationalization and commercialization 

The Creative Economy Project also worked with four creative sectors that were prioritized in the Strategic Plan to provide technical assistance and co-financing their participation in Marketplaces and Fairs. Additionally, they launched CREA + PY which was the first Creative Industries Market in Paraguay. The goal of this was to position the country’s creative economy at an international level and it will continue to be a forum conducive to reaching business deals and knowledge exchange. The project also conducted a communication and awareness campaign that reached an estimated 255,000 people in order to promote their activities.