UMAEF Supports Festival of Creative Industries 2026 to Advance Moldova’s Creative Economy

The seventh edition of the Festival of Creative Industries (FIC) transformed Chișinău into a vibrant hub of creativity, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration from June 3–7, bringing together 20 international speakers and hundreds of participants for five days of discussions, workshops, and networking dedicated to policy, communications, gaming, media, design, animation, music, and culture.

The festival opened with Policy Day, convening policymakers, development partners, and creative industry leaders to explore the growing role of culture and creativity in driving economic development, innovation, and national competitiveness. Opening remarks were delivered by representatives of the Government of Moldova and international partners, including Elizabeth Lawrence, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moldova, who emphasized the importance of creative industries in generating economic opportunities, fostering innovation, and strengthening Moldova’s connections with global creative ecosystems.

Throughout the week, participants engaged with experts from leading international organizations and companies, explored emerging trends in communications, gaming, animation, and media production, and participated in practical workshops designed to build new skills, encourage innovation, and strengthen collaboration across the sector.

The festival also extended beyond traditional venues through Creative Square, a public art initiative that featured six site-specific urban installations across Chișinău, inviting residents and visitors to experience the city through new creative perspectives.

Moldova’s creative economy continues to demonstrate strong growth, with the cultural and creative industries contributing more than 3% of the country’s GDP, employing over 5% of the workforce, and representing more than 7% of registered businesses nationwide. These figures underscore the sector’s expanding role in driving innovation, creating jobs, increasing exports, and enhancing Moldova’s international visibility.

UMAEF is proud to support the Festival of Creative Industries, recognizing the sector’s important contribution to entrepreneurship, economic resilience, and sustainable growth. By investing in initiatives that connect talent with international expertise and create opportunities for collaboration, UMAEF continues to help build a dynamic, competitive, and globally connected creative ecosystem in Moldova.

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