In the lead-up to the CreaSus Final Conference, we are taking a closer look at each session and what it will bring to the discussion. Taking place on 28 September 2026 from 15:00 to 16:15 and led and moderated by WestBIC, Session I, From vision to practice: CreaSus tools in action, will place the experiences of organisations that piloted the CreaSus tools at the centre of the conversation.
Sustainability is no longer an aspiration for the cultural and creative sector; it is fast becoming a condition for resilience and growth. This session moves from principle to practice, bringing together a panel of cultural and creative organisations that piloted the CreaSus tools and are now translating that experience into real changes in how they operate.
Since 2023, CreaSus has worked to help Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSIs) across Europe build more resilient, diversified business models by embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) innovation into their day-to-day work. At the heart of this effort is a free online self-assessment tool, built on a “readiness approach” and aligned with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards, which allows organisations of any size or discipline to measure where they stand and identify practical next steps. More than 80 organisations across Europe took part in the piloting programme, with the overwhelming majority reporting that the process added real value and that they intend to keep using it.
In this session, panellists from among those piloting organisations will share what the assessment revealed about their own practices, the sustainable transformation actions and business model guidance they drew on afterwards, and the funding routes they explored to support change. Expect candid reflections on what proved straightforward, what proved harder than expected, and what shifted once sustainability moved from a policy document to an operational priority.
The discussion is designed to be practical rather than theoretical: attendees will leave with a clearer sense of how the CreaSus tools work in the hands of organisations like their own, what results they can realistically expect, and how to begin their own transformation journey. It is a chance to hear directly from organisations that have already taken the first steps, and to understand what “embedding sustainability” actually looks like once vision turns into action.
What we will explore
- What did the CreaSus self-assessment reveal about your organisation’s sustainability readiness — and where were the biggest surprises?
- Which sustainable transformation actions or business model changes did you actually implement, and what made them possible (or difficult)?
- What tangible difference has embedding sustainability made so far — for your organisation, your audiences, or your funding prospects — and what’s the next step in that journey?
Key takeaways from the session
- A practical starting point: how the free CreaSus self-assessment tool can help any cultural organisation, regardless of size or discipline, quickly identify where it stands on sustainability and where to focus first.
- Real evidence from peers: candid, first-hand accounts of what worked, what didn’t, and what genuinely changed once sustainability moved from strategy documents into daily operations.
- A route to action: concrete next steps, from sustainable transformation actions to funding routes, that participants can adapt and bring back to their own organisations.
Speakers
Led and moderated by: Alison McGonagle, Marketing & Project Executive at WestBic (Ireland)
Panelists:
- Niamh Ní Fhlatharta, Line Producer & Company Administrator, Branar (Ireland)
- Nuria Gallego, Head of Sustainability, Accessibility and Infrastructures, Teatro Real (Spain)
- Christina Ntaltagianni, Head of Human Development, Clio Muse Tours (Greece)
Discover what sustainability can unlock for Europe’s CCSIs. Join the CreaSus Final Conference in Brussels on 28-29 September 2026 to explore tested tools, gain fresh perspectives, and connect with experts and peers working towards a more resilient and competitive sector. Places are limited, so register now and secure your place.
