The aim of ECHO 

ECHO harnesses the power of art and culture to spark the debate about the future of Europe. By offering unique Academies in five European countries, ECHO empowers young artists and changemakers to explore and express pressing social issues, from AI, to migration and climate change. Join ECHO in creating a vibrant dialogue that resonates across the continent, inspiring a new wave of people building Europe for the better.

The Academy programme

1. Candidate selection  
2. One-week campaign design sprint in your city
3. Six production weeks 
4. Campaign launch
5. Closing event 

The programme 

Starting in November 2024, ECHO kicks off its Academy in Amsterdam at Nxt Museum, bringing together young creatives and thinkers from across Europe, to focus on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitization! ECHO is an exciting opportunity for a selected group of 15 participants aged 18-30 from various disciplines and experiences. Over approximately 12 weeks, you’ll engage in workshops and activities led by artists and experts from various fields to support and inspire you in the development of your creative campaign. 

The theme: AI and Digitization

AI offers us a myriad of opportunities: from shorter workweeks due to higher efficiency, to solving the most complex questions. But it already also poses many threats: from misleading deepfakes, biases in AI models (race, gender, physical differences), fake news generation to surveillance capitalism. In other words, we’re in need to find solutions to protect our fundamental rights and democracy as a whole. 

During the program, you’ll work in teams to create and launch your own campaign around this theme, using a dedicated campaign budget to drive real change and inspire your peers. You’ll receive training from renowned artists, campaign experts, and industry leaders on how to craft effective campaigns and make a meaningful impact.

What you will receive:

• A 12 week Academy (November ‘24 – January ‘25)
• Expert knowledge and insights from industry specialists
• Hands-on experience in developing your ideas into tangible campaigns
• €1000 campaign production budget
• A certificate of completion to showcase your new skills and achievements

Who should apply?

• Ambitious and enthusiastic young people aged 18-30 who are passionate about making a difference and eager to develop both personally and professionally
• People with a creative or artistic background, marketeers or (campaign) strategists, and knowledge experts related to the theme (AI / Digitization)
• No prior experience with AI is required, just a strong desire to learn and work collaboratively
• A basic understanding of Dutch is necessary

Important details:

• The Campaign Design Sprint (24-29 November 2024) is a full week which requires physical attendance in Amsterdam. Your attendance is mandatory as it is key to success for the following weeks. 
• After the Campaign Design Sprint, you’ll spend about 4 hours per week with your team working on your campaign (online/offline). 
• Participation is free of charge. There are no costs associated with joining The ECHO Academy, but there is also no remuneration available. 
• You will receive a campaign budget with your team for campaign cost expenses. 
• Nxt is a creative partner of the program, providing the Academy a physical location to come together, and be introduced to speakers and staff, but your work itself will not be displayed at Nxt Museum. 

How to apply: 

Excited to join the Academy in Amsterdam? Apply by 23:59, September 22, 2024,  by filling out this application form. Include your CV, a video, portfolio or any creative material that helps us get to know you. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at info@demofoundation.eu. 

Learn more about the ECHO Academy at https://echoeurope.eu/.

APPLY NOW

Interviews will be conducted in the weeks of September 23 Sept – 1 October. 

Note: We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply, even if you don’t meet every criterion.

ECHO is funded by the European Commission.