This study aims to analyze how public policies support entrepreneurship in the creative industries (CIs) in the Douro region, a territory entirely classified as low density, identifying policy gaps, constraints and opportunities to strengthen local creative ecosystems.
This study adopts a qualitative case study approach. Secondary data were systematically collected from European, national and regional institutional sources to map existing policy instruments and support programs for creative entrepreneurship. Primary data were obtained through 15 semistructured interviews conducted with institutional actors and creative entrepreneurs located in the most populous municipalities of the Douro region. All interviews were analyzed using content analysis with the aid of NVivo software.
The results showed a predominance of cultural subsidies and general support for entrepreneurship, but the absence of specific strategies for CIs compromises their impact. The challenges identified by the interviewees, combined with geographical isolation and a mentality that is still resistant to innovation, make the environment unfavorable for creative entrepreneurship. However, the study also reveals that the Douro has significant competitive advantages, such as cultural heritage, regional identity and quality of life, which could be better exploited to attract and retain creative entrepreneurs. The results also indicate that the interaction between local actors requires greater coordination and cooperation.
This paper explores some of the gaps in public policies for CIs in low-density territory contexts, highlighting the challenges of geographic isolation, resistance to innovation and the absence of specific strategies for the sector. Furthermore, the study highlights potential competitive advantages, such as cultural heritage, regional identity and quality of life, proposing how these can be explored to strengthen creative entrepreneurship. This approach expands academic knowledge by addressing the particularities of ICs outside large urban centers, contributing to the formulation of policies adapted to low-density territories.
