The purpose of this article is to determine the possibility of using the experience of European countries in the development of the creative industry as a driving force for economic growth for the economies in transition. The authors studied the concept of the creative industry, existing models of classification of sub-sectors of the creative economy. The article analyses data on the world trends in the development of the creative industry and features of these processes in the economies in transition. Based on the results obtained, the key triggers that should be influenced by government regulation in economies in transition are: ensuring access to finance, ensuring an effective system of education at all levels to ensure the availability of skilled labour and literacy consumers of creative products, availability of high-quality infrastructure and regulatory system. Proceeding from this, recommendations for the development of creative industry in the economies in transition structured in terms of the key stakeholders: government, local government (regions and cities), higher educational institutions, creative industry, and other business representatives.