Creative Liverpool Cluster initative aims to facilitate the cross-secor collaboration among Liverpool creative communities

The legal entity responsible for implementing such vision is Creative Liverpool Development Trust (CLDT) that we are in process of creating.

Creative Liverpool Development Trust

1. Introduction & Mission Statement

The need:  Although Liverpool has a number of agencies and organisations that support and provide networking opportunities for the creative industries, they have not been as effective as hoped. 

Mission:  CLDT aims to be a body of individuals and organisations that comprehensively support each other, develop funding opportunities in partnership and act as an advocacy group through setting up an ‘alternative’ council.

2. Aims

Uniting the Creative Cluster

• Recruit Liverpool creative sector stakeholders to join the Development Trust’s efforts in empowering the creative community.

• Increase communication between creative sector stakeholders in order to capitalise on the collaborative force of a potentially large network of like-minded people and organisations.

Developing the Community

• Strengtheni the voice of the Liverpool creative community both locally and nationally through democratic systems and structures. (Possibly leading to an ‘alternative’ council)

• Engage with key partners to help deliver services that meet the needs of the community

• Generate a surplus from trading activities for the benefit of the creative community.  (Thus creating a fund, which can be drawn upon)

• Promote close collaboration between the creative sector stakeholders and the wider community.

• Establish, maintain, develop and/or operate a centre or centres providing facilities for creative community meeting, collaboration, training, learning, cultural and artistic activities. (For example, the Black-e)

• Provide assistance and support to voluntary groups from the creative sector.

Economy and Enterprise

• Support socially responsible businesses and sustainable growth of locally owned creative businesses.

• Promote the creation of Liverpool Community Bank, an interest-free ethical institution that aims to support a sustainable creative economy in Liverpool that is modelled upon other such entities elsewhere in Europe.

• Work with existing organisations to promote a local complementary currency as a measure to tackle the unemployment and to keep the wealth in the community.

Research, Education & Training

• Create a research institute on inclusive democracy to foster new political and socio-economic models.

• Improve and extend opportunities for creative community inter-sector training and learning.

• Enhance and improve employability skills to facilitate access to higher skilled jobs.

Regeneration & Renewal

• Create a Land Trust to enable the creative communities improved access to housing and offices.

• Actively enable, and directly contribute to, the regeneration targets agreed by the creative communities.

Operations & Communication

• Establish two way communications between the Trust and the creative community as a whole.

• Encourage Liverpool residents to participate in and benefit from the activities and development of CLDT.

Transnational relations

• Encourage transnational cooperation and collaboration with creative communities overseas.

3. Company Structure and Governance

• Not for profit Organisation (limited by garantee) to apply for charity status
• CLDT Assembly - The main governing body of CLDT - Made by founding and registered members. They decide by consensus on policy of CLDT
• Board of Trustees - A maximum of 15 trustees, 8 representing the various sub-clusters, 1 from Planet Art eXchange, 1 from the Black-E and 5 elected among the founding members.
• Executive Commitee for the day-to-day implementation of the projects

4. Benefits

CLDT will provide a forum for the creative communities which supports individuals and partner organisations in advocating important issues and gaining funding. CLDT will look to enhance local activities as well as communicating and campaigning for the bigger issues which impact upon the creative community.

5. 12 Month timeline

• Develop Board and memberships

• Set up Development Trust

• Apply for CommunityBuilders grant
• Implement the following projects: (1) Creative Cluster Collaborative Platform - C3P (2)

  Leadership program (3) Paxo Currency project

• Study interests within the strategic outcomes so that individuals and organisations can start to make practical commitments

• Within those interests determine a timeline to work on the strategic outcomes.