The Zone Creative project, officially launched to transform the cultural landscape of Havana and Matanzas, represents a bold initiative supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Havana. This project focuses on leveraging the historical heritage of Centro Habana, Habana Vieja, Habana del Este, and Matanzas to foster the growth of cultural enterprises and strengthen the cultural and creative industries in these regions.
Zone Creative aims to enhance the economic sustainability of target areas while aligning with local development strategies. It seeks to foster a dynamic and collaborative creative ecosystem through public-private partnerships.
Key interventions include:
- Centro Habana: Renovation of the iconic Cine Rex, coupled with a Local Development Program (PDL) and entrepreneurial training initiatives.
- Habana Vieja: Rehabilitation of one of the spaces in Los Picos, focusing on creating networks of best practices led by women and youth.
- Habana del Este: Transformation of Casa Moré into a creative hub for cultural enterprise training and incubation.
- Matanzas: Conversion of Building #28 into a creative space supporting innovative economic activities and tailored training programs.
The project targets over 3,000 beneficiaries, including youth, women entrepreneurs, cultural promoters, and project managers, with an emphasis on inclusion, sustainability, and capacity building.
Zone Creative is supported by a diverse group of Cuban and Italian organizations, including AICS, COSPE, ARCS, CISP and Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana (OHCH).
Additionally, Cuban institutions such as the Oficina del Conservador de Matanzas, Centro Félix Varela, and CIERIC play vital roles in ensuring the project’s success.
Zone Creative will span 36 months, employing a multidimensional approach that focuses not only on the physical revitalization of the targeted areas but also on fostering a sustainable cultural and economic impact. By integrating training, entrepreneurship empowerment, and interinstitutional collaboration, the project aims to build an innovative environment conducive to the growth of cultural and creative industries.
Through active community participation, the project promotes social inclusion and builds robust networks among cultural sector stakeholders. These efforts are designed to ensure that the creative zones become engines of economic and social development for future generations.
