In 2017, Colombia launched the Orange Economy policy to foster the creative economy, building on previous policy initiatives to support the cultural and creative sectors. This paper provides a comparative overview of Colombia’s culture and creative sectors compared to OECD peers, and reviews progress in policy implementation. The unique transversal approach of the Orange Economy policy is highlighted, as it mainstreams culture across diverse policy portfolios, beyond traditional cultural policy. The paper also examines Colombia’s push to foster creative districts as a tool for local development across the country, with examples of policies implemented in nine districts across the globe. The financial ecosystem for the creative economy in Colombia is mapped, and recommendations based on international best practices are provided to suggest ways Colombia can leverage creative economy opportunities.
In recent years, Colombia has shown an increasing interest in promoting the creative economy. The Orange Economy policy, launched in 2017, seeks to stimulate the creative economy and build on the success of previous policy initiatives to support the cultural and creative sectors. This paper examines the unique transversal approach of the Orange Economy policy, its impact on the culture and creative sectors in Colombia, and ways the country can best leverage creative economy opportunities.
To provide context, this paper first provides a comparative overview of Colombia’s culture and creative sectors compared to OECD peers. Colombia has a vibrant cultural scene and a growing creative economy. However, compared to OECD peers, Colombia faces challenges related to limited access to financing, lack of integration between cultural and creative sectors, and weak intellectual property rights. The Orange Economy policy aims to address these challenges through a transversal approach that integrates culture across diverse policy portfolios, beyond traditional cultural policy.
The paper then reviews progress in the implementation of the Orange Economy policy. The policy has made progress in several areas, including the creation of the National System of Culture and the establishment of the Creative Economy Observatory. However, challenges remain, including limited awareness of the Orange Economy policy among stakeholders and a lack of coordination across government agencies.
A specific focus of the paper is on Colombia’s push to foster creative districts as a tool for local development across the country. Creative districts are geographic areas where the concentration of cultural and creative activities fosters local economic development. Examples of policies implemented in nine districts across the globe are provided to illustrate how creative districts have been successfully leveraged for economic development. The paper highlights the need for coordinated efforts between government, private sector, and civil society to support the development of creative districts in Colombia.
The financial ecosystem for the creative economy in Colombia is also mapped. While progress has been made in increasing access to financing for cultural and creative projects, challenges remain in terms of limited access to credit and low levels of venture capital investment. The paper provides recommendations based on international best practices to address these challenges, such as the establishment of a cultural and creative industries fund, the creation of tax incentives for cultural and creative projects, and the development of a regulatory framework for crowdfunding.
In conclusion, the Orange Economy policy is a unique approach to stimulating the creative economy in Colombia. Its transversal approach and focus on creative districts as a tool for local development have the potential to foster economic growth and social inclusion. However, challenges remain in terms of policy implementation and financing. By leveraging international best practices, Colombia can build on the progress made through the Orange Economy policy and continue to develop a thriving creative economy.