Across Belgium and Europe, arts, heritage, and the cultural-creative industries are transforming through digital innovation, introduction of sustainability practices, and a stronger role in social and individual wellbeing. They spark reflection, connection, and change while adapting to new challenges in funding, skills, and inclusion. In Belgium, rich cultural heritage meets creative experimentation, supported by regional policies that place culture at the heart of development. Our team knows the cultural and creative sectors from within; we strongly believe in the power of co-creation combined with research, impact assessment, policy evaluation and strategy to foster insight, alignment, and impact. Through projects like Creative FLIP, Perform Europe, and Ekip, we connect cultural pioneers, policymakers, and practitioners to build a more resilient, creative Europe.
Services
Strategic development and alignment of cultural and heritage initiatives
The cultural and heritage landscape is changing fast. Organisations must adapt to new expectations, harness technology, and address priorities such as circularity, climate action, co-creation, and inclusion. To help cultural institutions and initiatives – both large and small- build future-oriented strategies for long-term impact, we co-develop scenarios, align visions with stakeholders, and define the essentials for success, from audience development and collaboration to financing and infrastructure.
We assist museums, cultural organisations and events with:
- guidance and co-creation on policy planning
- co-creative event concept development
- strategy development & strategic sparring
- vision & future trajectories
- additional funding development
- marketing and communication strategy consulting
- ...
Strengthening the cultural and creative ecosystem
The cultural and creative sectors (CCS) drive economic, sustainable, and inclusive growth across Europe. Yet in a rapidly changing landscape, they must constantly adapt, innovate, and evolve into new models. The Covid pandemic revealed both the vulnerability and vital role of the CCS in social cohesion and resilience. Today, strengthening the ecosystem means engaging with areas such as lifelong learning, innovation, IP, and finance. For over 15 years, we have supported the CCS to innovate and grow, combining research-based insights with practical guidance. We align our work with European frameworks like the European Agenda for Culture and the new Culture Compass, supporting organisations to access funding and build strategies for innovation, inclusion, and sustainability.
Our services for strengthening the cultural and creative ecosystem are:
- policy studies and evaluations
- supporting (cultural) policy learning
- impact assessment
Culture and heritage shaping the public realm
Heritage, artists and cultural initiatives don’t just need space — they give it meaning. By transforming the public realm, they bring identity, beauty, and shared value to places, fostering collaboration and dialogue. Initiatives like the New European Bauhaus (NEB) highlight the power of integrated, community-based visions for public spaces where art, culture, and society meet. As NEB Friend, IDEA Consult shares that same vision, turning it into practice in our projects.
We support heritage sites, policymakers, and temporary users with tailored services such as:
- concept development
- strategy development
- valorisation and collaboration with (spatial) partners
- identification of alternative support and financing instruments
- scenario planning temporary use of space
- space needs assessment
- ...
Placemaking for culture, leisure, heritage, landscape and tourism
In Flanders, municipalities and local actors are joining forces across culture, heritage, tourism, youth, and leisure to create more connected and meaningful local experiences. This has led to a dynamic landscape of intermediary organisations that regularly refine their goals and partnerships. At IDEA Consult, we support regions in developing integrated policy plans and cooperation models that create shared value. Our cross-domain approach connects culture, heritage, tourism, and the creative economy with sustainable regional development.
Through placemaking, we strengthen places — from creative hubs and temporary spaces to neighbourhoods, cities, and tourist regions:
- development of tourism plans with stakeholder co-creation
- vision and strategy development for landscape parks & inter-municipal cooperation
- architectural/movable heritage modelling for local cultural cooperation
- ...
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