WHAT IS HAPPENING
HAPPENING is built on a simple idea: entrepreneurship is about making an idea happen.
We support emerging creative entrepreneurs in:
- Developing their own projects
- Understanding their ecosystems (local and European)
- Strengthening their skills and confidence
- Evaluating their impact as cultural entrepreneurs
- Shaping their own definition of cultural entrepreneurship
HAPPENING is supported by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, led by a consortium of 4 organisations:
ALTER EGO (X) (An organisation that supports and develops impactful cultural initiatives in France and across Europe) x Energie alter-native (A cultural association supporting performing arts through festivals and artist development) x
Entire Framework (A technology consultancy designing digital solutions) x ICHEC (A Brussels-based business school fostering sustainable innovation in Cultural and Creative Industries).
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We're seeking 27 young and emerging creatives:
Ready to develop their projects, skills and autonomy within a European collaborative framework, and eager to shape European cultural future.
Fields
- Performing arts (theatre, music, dance, contemporary circus, etc.)
- Cinematography
- Creative media (podcasts, audiovisual tools, sensitive and author-driven formats)
- Visual arts
- Cultural managers, producers and cultural workers in these fields
Requirements
- Resident in Belgium, France or Italy (no nationality requirement)
- Aged 20 to 35
- Comfortable working in English
- Motivated to engage in collective, reflective and experimental processes
- Open to working in an international and diverse environment
- Agrees with our Core Values
WHAT TO EXPECT
A nine-month European Programme (September 2026 – May 2027), involving:
- Training sessions and collaborative workshops along the year with partner organisations, to help identify the needs and challenges of projects in the cultural entrepreneurship field
- The co-creation of a set of open-access digital tools and a vision for the future network that will be used, shared and adapted by young and aspiring creatives across Europe
- Networking with participants, professionals and partner organisations
- Delivering a Youthpass, a European certification of non-formal competences developed
- Applications open until: 1 May 2026.
- Results: 30 June 2026.
Each partner organisation pre-selects 9 candidates in their country, balancing across artistic practices, profiles and backgrounds (additional interviews may be required). - A waiting list remains active until 30 September 2026.
- Participation is free of charge (co-funded by Erasmus+ Youth Programme).
- Costs covered by the programme: online activities, individual follow-up. For Brussels mobility (2027), accommodation allowance (€85/day); Erasmus+ travel grants apply as lump sums based on distance: up to €200 from France (green travel mandatory), up to €250 from Italy (€400 with green travel). Participants book their own travel in coordination with partners. Food costs are not covered unless explicitly mentioned for a specific activity.
Detailed practical information will be shared with selected participants.
More information available in the Application form.