Apply Now: Students invited to Creative Circularity Summer Academy 2025
On 11-15 August, Estonian Academy of Arts is organizing the Creative Circularity Summer Academy 2025. Students are invited to join two of the academy’s activities: Green Transformer Student Challenge and Recrafted: A Workshop for Shoe and Bag Upcycling”. Application deadline is 13 June.
Students will be provided Erasmus funding for travel expenses and a mobility scholarship. For both activities, five VMU BA or MA students will be selected.
Green Transformer Student Challenge
The event is dedicated to exploring sustainable design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world impact. The goal of the Challenge is to inspire students to explore and apply simple yet effective design opportunities to develop innovative and sustainable solutions.
During this intensive week, students will work in interdisciplinary teams to address real-world sustainability challenges. Guided by experienced mentors, students will participate in site visits, lectures, group work, and consultations to refine their design concepts. Each team will develop a creative and feasible solution to a specific sustainability issue. Final concepts will be presented to a panel of experts and evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, and impact.
The best teams will be recognized and awarded from a total prize fund of 5000 EUR, with winning teams also receiving the opportunity to further develop their ideas through the Student Initiative competition. This program offers not only practical experience, but also a clear pathway to bring ideas to life and contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future.
The program awards 3 ECTS credits, is conducted in English, and is open to BA and MA students from all disciplines. A virtual follow-up session will take place on August 22, 2025, offering feedback and further development opportunities.
Applications are open until June 13, 2025. Selected students will participate through the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) under Erasmus+.
If you have any questions, email the organizers at Transform4Europe@vdu.lt.
Recrafted: A Workshop for Shoe & Bag Upcycling
This practical workshop centers on transforming old and discarded materials into unique, functional fashion pieces. Guided by expert shoemakers Kelian Luisk and Marika Jylhä, and bag designers Merle Visak and Sirle Rohusaar, participants will work in two groups:
- One group will repurpose denim to create shoe uppers and assemble them into finished shoes.
- The other group will craft bags using upcycling techniques.
The workshop will begin with an inspiring session by renowned designer Reet Aus, who will introduce the principles and importance of upcycling in fashion, highlighting sustainable design practices.
Throughout the week, students will collaborate in interdisciplinary teams, visit leading design studios, and develop innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges. By the end of the workshop, they’ll have created their own upcycled fashion item – either a pair of shoes or a bag – demonstrating the potential of sustainable fashion.
The program awards 3 ECTS credits, is conducted in English, and is open to BA and MA students from all disciplines. A virtual follow-up session will take place on August 22, 2025, offering feedback and further development opportunities.
Applications are open until June 13, 2025. Selected students will attend through the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) under Erasmus+.
If you have any questions, email the organizers at Transform4Europe@vdu.lt.
