The partnerships have been formed between higher education and institutions in the creative sector across seven countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) and a UK partner. The full list of awarded partnerships can be found here.

“We have one-third of UK universities now involved with the program”

Each partnership will be awarded a grant of up to £40,000 for the development of projects aimed at developing the skills of students and young creative entrepreneurs, supporting new business activation and incubation and knowledge exchange.

“Over 100 applications came from UK universities and it shows a real appetite for Creative Spark in the UK,” Richard Everitt, British Council’s director education and society, Wider Europe, said in a statement.

“With 50 partnerships already underway we have one-third of UK universities now involved with the program to equip thousands of young people with the skills required to start businesses and reduce unemployment.”

In the academic year 2018/19, the British Council funded another 38 partnerships, which have led to 500 new business ideas currently being developed, the BC explained in a statement.

The program aims at developing the creative sector and responds to a demand for entrepreneurship training in the program countries, giving young people improved access to international networks, markets and resources and supporting job creation.

This year, all 90 partner organisations involved in the program will meet at the University of Oxford to share expertise and further develop their projects.