Strengthening international partnerships: creative trade delegation from Leipzig visits Birmingham

March 21, 2025

Fostering creativity and innovation across borders

In March 2025, Birmingham was honoured to receive a trade mission from its sister city Leipzig, fostering international cooperation in the creativity and innovation sectors. This visit followed a successful Birmingham-organised visit to Leipzig in November 2024, highlighting both cities’ commitment to building lasting, transnational relationships.

Purpose of the mission

The delegation’s visit was part of a continuous effort towards strengthening collaborations between the creative economies of Birmingham and Leipzig. The programme facilitated interaction between governments, companies, and cultural institutions, showcasing Birmingham’s prowess in innovation, technology, and in the creative economy.

Sponsored by University of Birmingham, and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the project underscored the importance of international partnerships in driving economic growth and creative.

Programme overview

The delegation’s itinerary included strategic meetings, site visits, and networking opportunities aimed at building lasting connections. Key components included:

Official welcome by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham: the delegation began with a formal reception at the Birmingham Council House, where they met with the Lord Mayor and city officials to discuss shared priorities in innovation, economic development, and cultural collaboration.

Innovation and industry visits: visits to Holosphere, a leading VR/AR technology provider, showcased cutting-edge developments in immersive media.

Participation in VentureFest West Midlands: Leipzig-based entrepreneurs engaged with Birmingham’s business community at this flagship regional innovation conference, identifying areas for potential cooperation and investment.

Exploration of Birmingham’s creative ecosystem: tours of key creative sites, including Digbeth Loc Studios, Zellig, The Custard Factory, and STEAMhouse, provided insights into Birmingham’s vibrant cultural infrastructure and its support for creative enterprise.

Cultural engagement: the delegation also experienced Birmingham’s heritage and creative vibrancy through curated tours of the canal network, the Jewellery Quarter, and the Ikon Gallery.

Delegation composition

The Leipzig delegation included representatives from the City of Leipzig, Kreatives Leipzig, and leading businesses across the virtual reality, publishing, performing arts, and digital media sectors. Birmingham hosts and contributors included WMCA, BCC, and the Lord Mayor’s Office, The Bookshelf, Threewise Media, Virtual Decisions, Mercurial Dance, Leopard and Co, Natty Helmets, Buckt, and others.

Strategic impact

The trade mission highlighted the strategic value of international exchange in driving economic growth, innovation, and creative industry development. For Leipzig-based businesses, the UK represents a key market with significant potential, particularly in digital media, immersive technology, and interdisciplinary arts.

For Birmingham, the contact with Leipzig provided an opportunity to connect with a like-minded city, address similar challenges, and initiate new collaborative activities. The journey also contributed to the Birmingham’s broader goals of enhancing its global standing and emerging as a first-rate destination for investment, creativity, and cultural enterprise.

Strategic impact

This mission marks a significant milestone in the ongoing relationship between Birmingham and Leipzig, affirming a shared vision for resilient, innovation-led economic development. Both cities are committed to deepening their partnership and exploring future opportunities for bilateral collaboration in the creative industries and beyond.

Strengthening international partnerships: creative trade delegation from Leipzig visits Birmingham

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