The ECHN Workshop annual program is now open for proposals from member hubs interested in hosting a week-long learning workshop in the first half of 2027 at their own hub. These workshops are a cornerstone of our mission to empower creative hubs — especially smaller and emerging hubs — to lead high-impact educational initiatives across Europe.
Facilitated by the organising hub and supported by the ECHN team, these extensive workshops are an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the development of the hubs network and the broader cultural and creative sectors, as well as to test your own capacities of preparing collaborative learning experiences for participants from around the continent. In the process, you will also be working on a learning tool, which can and will be used by anyone interested.
This year, we focus on digital skills and the evolving needs of creators, although the theme is not mandatory, so if your field of expertise is not in that niche we still urge you to send in your proposals.
The ECHN Workshops build on a growing collection of practical knowledge created and shared by creative hubs across Europe. Previous editions have explored topics as diverse as rural innovation and community practices (Rural Hacking in 2022 by Anceu), makerspace development (Making Spaces in 2023 by The Making Rooms), textile techniques and sustainable practices (Precious Textile in 2024 by Le Textile Lab), and lo-fi marketing (Low-Tech Communication for Creative Spaces in 2025 by Sende).
Beyond the workshops themselves, each edition has produced a dedicated toolkit, making the methods, insights and practical resources developed during the programme accessible to the wider ECHN community. Not to mention the shared meals, new friendships, insights and explorations of specific areas.
We are now looking for the next creative hub to add a new chapter to this growing collection of shared knowledge!
You can explore the previous ECHN Workshop calls and the toolkits developed through each edition here.
Workshop can be implemented through a variety of formats and learning methods, which is up to you to design and propose. The outcomes need to be clear, though, as well as the learnings and documentation which are articulated into a learning tool (toolkit publication, online course or alike).
The workshop should be implemented not later than the end of May 2027.
The creative hub with the best proposal will have the chance to host a minimum of 15 hub managers or cultural and creative professionals from across Europe, who will be applying to join the workshop via an open call.
The participants do not need to be ECHN members, and will need to take care of their own travel arrangements, while the workshop participation itself is free of charge. The accommodation arrangements are usually handled by the hosting hub, and covered from the workshop budget.
Over the next years, the primary focus of ECHN Workshops will be on digital skills. While proposals on other relevant topics are welcome, those addressing digital skills will be given a slight priority.
The selection process is designed to be collaborative and transparent: all proposals will be evaluated and voted on at a peer level - by ECHN members.
To ensure inclusivity and adaptability, the final format of the workshops remains flexible, empowering organising hubs to adjust the structure based on their needs, resources, and local context.
All along, the ECHN team will be working closely with the selected hosting hub, to support a high-quality and smooth delivery of the workshop program.
Deadline for applications: 30th September 2026 23:59 CET
Pitching of proposals & Voting: Exact dates will be announced soon
Ready to take the lead?
Submit your proposal and bring your hub’s knowledge, creativity, and educational impact to the European stage.
If after that you still have questions, please contact natassa@creativehubs.net
