CidaCo was set up in 2000 as a company for creative entrepreneurs by creative entrepreneurs. We work at both strategic and grassroots levels, from independent artists to cross-departmental government bodies. CidaCo is built to address four specific areas of need: • Entry level recruitment – increasing access to employment in the creative economy to people from all backgrounds • Continuing Professional Development – providing ‘just in time’ skills’ development to meet the needs of an ever-changing environment of creative and business practice • Support for Freelancers - in recognition of the essential nature of freelance working within the sector, encouraging the infrastructural development required to enable freelance workers to sustain employment • Cultural Diversity – to increase the opportunities for professional artists and creative entrepreneurs from culturally diverse backgrounds to be economically engaged within the sector, both in mainstream and community environments After 15 years, we remain true to those principles. They underpin our three areas of current focus: • Resilience - i.e. the capacity for successful adaptability to change, despite challenges and difficult circumstances. • Diversity - i.e. recognising that creativity and innovation are enriched by input from the variety of perspectives, experiences and cultural backgrounds that reflect society today whilst lack of diversity diminishes both the organisation and the work itself • Digital – i.e. exploiting the benefits of any technology that connects people and machines with each other or with information. We have now worked in over 40 different countries, helping governments to strengthen their own creative economies and helping artists to become prime players within them.