Our project | accro

Origins

accro was founded in Strasbourg in 2014, on the initiative of the Strasbourg Urban Community (now the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg), the University of Strasbourg and a group of local entrepreneurs. The association is registered under the local law of Alsace-Moselle.

It was created in response to an observation shared by its founders: creative professionals and local businesses were working side by side, with no structured scheme to help them work together. On one side, a dense fabric of designers, architects, studios, agencies and freelancers in image, sound and the performing arts. On the other, SMEs, manufacturers and local authorities facing challenges of renewal, innovation and differentiation.

The association's name reflects this aim: ACtions pour le développement CRéatif des Organisations (actions for the creative development of organisations).

The Tango&Scan scheme was the first practical expression of this project. This call for projects provides funding to creative project leads in the region, often working with a partner company. It has given rise to achievements in the circular economy, product design and user-centred innovation.

The association has since extended its scope to the whole Grand Est Region and built a community of professionals from the cultural and creative industries, businesses, higher education institutions and public bodies. Its head office is at the Manufacture des Tabacs, 7 cour des Cigarières in Strasbourg.

Missions

accro boosts the cultural and creative industries in the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg and the Grand Est Region by developing promotion, awareness-raising and support activities, in order to spark collaborations and contribute to local economic development.

Its work is structured around two priorities:

Business support for CCI professionals: visibility, skills development, access to funding, and connections with economic players in the region.
Developing creativity in organisations: businesses, local authorities and institutions are supported in adopting creative methods as a driver of transformation.

Our areas of activity

Tango&Scan: an annual call for projects supporting creative and digital projects in the region.
REC!: the European Creative Economy Meetings, a week dedicated to the cultural and creative industries on a European scale.
Workshop3C and higher education: programmes run with the University, research laboratories and grandes écoles.
Training and resource centre: skills development for professionals in the sector.
Creative engineering and project management assistance: tailored assignments for organisations.
Grants and funding: monitoring and information on the schemes available to players in the cultural and creative industries.

Today, accro brings together a network of members and public and private partners who share the same conviction: creativity is a driver of economic development in its own right.