Creative Industries Immersive Impact Coalition
A €200 million investment from the National Growth Fund to make the Netherlands a world leader in immersive experiences.
Why CIIIC?
The digital world is at a turning point. After the internet and mobile, we stand on the eve of the third digital wave: a world in which the digital and the physical merge seamlessly. This immersive future offers unprecedented opportunities - from breakthrough healthcare innovations to new ways of learning and working. It is a global wave that we are shaping together.
To give the Netherlands a leading position in this international development, the Ministries of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and Economic Affairs (EZK) are launching the largest innovation programme ever in this field: the Creative Industries Immersive Impact Coalition (CIIIC). With an investment of 200 million euros and the expertise of leading organisations from research, industry and government, we are building the future of immersive experiences - one in which innovation goes hand in hand with public values such as privacy, accessibility and digital inclusion.
Through CIIIC we connect Dutch expertise with (inter)national partners. We build a network of thinkers and doers, facilitate talent exchange and stimulate international co-productions. We call on makers, researchers, (semi-)public bodies and industry to make an impact together. The future is immersive - and the Netherlands can play a key role in it.
Our mission
The future is immersive. We stand on the threshold of a new digital revolution: a world where the digital and the physical merge seamlessly.
With CIIIC - a €200 million investment from the National Growth Fund - we make this possible. We accelerate research, stimulate innovation and build an ecosystem in which makers, researchers and companies together shape the next wave of digital innovation.
CIIIC is not a funding desk, but a catalyst. We connect knowledge with practice, talent with opportunity, and ideas with impact.
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BUNNY_LIBRARY_ID=f0cd34e8-28ca-4d83-a4bf-da6ace9c7a4a Why now? The opportunities
Economic opportunities
- The global market for immersive media grows 25-35% annually, reaching €100-150 billion by 2030
- For the creative industries, the opportunity lies in producing high-quality content
- For other sectors: raising productivity, lowering costs, addressing labour shortages
Societal opportunities
- IX can increase understanding, empathy and enjoyment
- IX help people acquire skills faster
- IX support participation and collaboration in society
- IX offer new ways to tackle complex societal challenges
Why this programme?
There is ample evidence that IX works. But five bottlenecks stand in the way of large-scale application - and CIIIC tackles them systematically.
Shortage of knowledge and methods
There is ample evidence that IX works, but not enough knowledge and methods for effective content creation. How do you make IX that has real impact?
Action line 1Need for qualified human capital
The sector is growing, but there are too few professionals who can conceptualise, build and apply IX. We need more talent.
Action line 2Insufficient innovation power and connection
Small players and limited connection between 'makers' and 'appliers'. The ecosystem lacks facilities to collaborate and experiment.
Action line 3Limited experience with validated IX applications
Scaling knowledge from the games domain needs to be transferred to other sectors. More demonstration projects are needed.
Action line 4Need to safeguard public values
Actively working on responsible IX: ethics, privacy, sustainability, data security, inclusion, diversity and open standards.
Action line 5Implementing partners
CIIIC is delivered by a coalition of specialised organisations, each with its own expertise and network.
Governance
CIIIC is a public-private partnership under the umbrella of the top sectors policy.
The programme falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and is directed by ClickNL as programme manager. An independent Advisory Board advises on strategic choices and safeguards the quality and impact of the programme.
- Commissioner: Ministry of OCW
- Programme management: ClickNL
- Duration: 2024–2030
Advisory Board
The CIIIC Advisory Board consists of experts from the IX field: researchers, makers and appliers. They advise on strategic choices, assess the quality of the programme and ensure that CIIIC aligns with the needs of the sector.
View the advisory boardPublic values
IX technology brings unique ethical challenges. CIIIC upholds seven core values for the responsible development and application of immersive experiences.
Privacy
Protecting user data and personal information
Self-determination
Safeguarding autonomy and freedom of choice
Democracy
Supporting democratic principles and participation
Health
Protecting physical and mental well-being
Safety
Preventing harm to users
Inclusivity
Equal access and non-discrimination
Sustainability
Environmental and social responsibility
Public values
Learn more?
Discover the funding schemes, browse funded projects, or get in touch with us.