For this assignment, REID brought together a crack team of specialists ranging from anthropologists to economists to dive into the underground of the Walloon creative economy. The team applied a theory of change framework to analyse the effects of the policy experimentation conducted through the Creative Wallonia programme and the creation of nine Creative Hubs. Although they observed many sparks of ingenuity, the overall results were mixed.

Nevertheless, fostering creativity as a means of boosting innovation should remain part of the Walloon policy to support economic transformation. The challenge is to maintain the ‘quirky and singular’ nature of the actions to support creativity via the Creative Hubs while ensuring a greater synergy with the mainstream business support ecosystem. REID’s work helped inspire the concept of innovation platforms which will be deployed from 2021 onwards.