Initiated in 2019 as part of Creative FLIP project, the P2P Exchange Program addresses creative hubs, connecting them with peers from established or emerging hubs across Europe. The program aims to seek and develop new formats of cross-sectorial cooperation, initiate co-creation and collaborative projects, and to share knowledge and expertise across Europe through community events.

After the successful completion of a pilot round in 2019, Creative FLIP launched a new Open Call for applicants from creative hubs across Europe in 2020. Successful candidates were selected with their exchanges planned to take place in 2020. Unfortunately, the timing overlapped with the outbreak of the pandemic, forcing participants to adjust the format of their planned exchanges which had been foreseen as in-person meetings. Few exchanges had to be cancelled while the majority was able to change to an online or hybrid format, generating interesting outputs and conclusions such as the need for a new set of skills for digital interaction and co-working.

As a direct result, the Creative FLIP project team decided to extend its P2P scheme and named 14 “Ambassadors of change” who reported on new initiatives they had successfully tested during the pandemic.