A focus on creativity and innovation

The creative industries in Styria are a key driver of innovation and a strategic asset for the region. The year 2026 serves as a transitional year for strategy development, setting the course for even closer integration with the traditional economy. Our goal is to establish creativity and design as a powerful differentiator to sustainably increase the value creation and resilience of Styrian companies.

The SFG is taking the lead in the structural development of Styria as a creative hub, supported by the City of Graz and the Styrian Chamber of Commerce. Based on clearly defined processes and transparent structures, a cross-sectoral regional project is emerging in close cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, which integrates the added value of creativity and design in a goal-oriented manner and communicates it both internally and externally.

Strategy & Dialogue

Together with key stakeholders, we are shaping a well-founded realignment to strengthen the industry:

• We listen: The needs of the creative economy and the traditional economy are identified through expert interviews and a broad-based survey.
• Clear positioning: The creative economy is positioned as a strategic location factor. Targeted programs, initiatives, and a new funding campaign provide practical impetus for collaborations with the traditional economy and open up opportunities for creative professionals to network, participate, and gain visibility.
• Strong partners: The creative economy is specifically integrated into network and cluster organizations. This creates direct points of contact for collaborations, practical projects, and greater visibility within the individual sectors.

Identity & Communication

As the Creative Styria platform, we provide the industry with information and facilitate networking.

• Newsletters & Channels: In the future, the SFG will publish its own creative industries newsletter. In addition, our partners (City of Graz, WKO) will provide updates through their own channels.
• New identity: Creative Styria raises the profile of Styria’s creative industries and gives them a clear public image. The name draws on the intersection of business and creativity and places Styria and its regions, industries and sectors at the centre. The bracket serves as the graphic symbol: it represents both openness to the outside world and internal networking.