With the view to enhancing youth engagement and fostering green competencies amongst the CHN network, ENCATC will deliver capacity building trainings to its youth forum members.

The 2026 ENCATC Youth in Action programme is a dedicated ENCATC learning pathway for students. This year, this program will be  ENCATC Academy through an international collaboration with the World Scuola di Alta Formazione Interdisciplinare per l’Innovazione e la Internazionalizzazione and developed with the World Leisure Organization (WLO). Supported by the Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca under the NextGenerationEU – PNRR framework, it strengthens innovation, internationalisation, and interdisciplinary excellence in advanced training for the next generation of cultural professionals.

The Academy kicks off on Tuesday 21 April 2026 at 17:00 (welcome session and opening dialogue). Participants are expected to arrive in Bilbao during the early afternoon of 21 April.

The programme concludes on Friday 24 April 2026 at 19:30, followed by an optional informal networking gathering. Participants can plan their departure either on the evening of 24 April or the morning of 25 April.

The ENCATC Academy brings together cultural managers, policymakers, researchers, educators, and emerging professionals from across Europe and beyond.

Alongside the core Academy programme for cultural managers, policymakers, researchers, and educators, ENCATC is hosting a dedicated programme for the next generation of professionals — students and young cultural entrepreneurs.

This initiative builds on ENCATC’s long-standing commitment to empowering young changemakers in sustainable cultural management and policy. In recent years, this has included developing new learning tools and opportunities such as:

• Educational video resources based on Academy speakers’ insights
• Online training webinars for members of the Climate Heritage Network Youth Forum

Until now, most of these activities have taken place online. In 2026, ENCATC takes the next step by creating a dedicated space within the Academy in Bilbao where young participants can meet in person, exchange ideas, and collaborate directly with senior professionals, experts, and policymakers.

This new format is designed to spark intergenerational dialogue, mentorship, and meaningful networking.

By bringing experienced leaders and emerging voices together, the Academy creates a space for shared learning, fresh perspectives, and collective action to advance sustainability across the cultural and creative sectors.

Across four days, the Academy offers an intensive and interactive programme combining high-level lectures, applied workshops, peer exchange, study visits, and networking moments. Each full working day runs approximately from 09:30 to 18:00, with selected evening activities dedicated to networking and community-building.

The programme explores four key themes:

1. Sustainable Cultural Management & Organisational Change

How can cultural organisations become more sustainable in practice?
Participants explore strategies for integrating sustainability into leadership, governance, and long-term organisational development.

2. Policy Development, SDGs & Cultural Impact

Learn how cultural organisations and policymakers connect local initiatives with European and global sustainability agendas. Topics include sustainability reporting, ESG frameworks, SDG localisation, and impact measurement.

3. Digital Transformation & Cultural Sustainability

How is technology reshaping culture?
This strand explores digital maturity in cultural institutions, AI and cultural heritage, cybersecurity challenges, and the ethical questions surrounding digital transformation.

4. Learning from Bilbao: Culture, Regeneration & Practice

Bilbao is one of Europe’s most inspiring examples of culture-driven urban transformation.
Participants will visit key cultural institutions and creative hubs to explore how culture contributes to sustainable city development.

The Academy combines:

• Expert lectures and policy dialogues
• Hands-on workshops and group exercises
• Case-study discussionsStudy visits and field-based learning
• Study visits and field-based learning
• Structured networking moments
• A dedicated youth networking and exchange space

This blended methodology ensures participants gain both conceptual insight and practical tools, while fostering intergenerational collaboration and long-term professional connections.