OPEN-CALL

APPLY BEFORE 07.0919-25 OCTOBER 2026OPEN-CALL FOR TRAINING IN WEIMAR, DE
BECOME A PLACEMAKING EDUCATORJOIN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

The European Placemaking Academy (EPA) is looking for educators, facilitators, community practitioners and local changemakers who want to strengthen these skills and become part of a growing European network of participatory placemaking practitioners.

HOW DO WE CREATE PLACES WHERE EVERYONE HAS A VOICE?

Public spaces are never neutral. They reflect who is included, who is excluded, who makes decisions, and whose needs remain invisible.

Creating more inclusive, democratic and vibrant places requires more than redesigning streets or parks. It requires people who can bring communities together, facilitate dialogue, navigate conflicts and support citizens in becoming active co-creators of change.

WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN PLACEMAKING ACADEMY?

The European Placemaking Academy (EPA) is a European cooperation project that strengthens the capacity of municipalities, civil society organisations, educators and community leaders to facilitate participatory placemaking.

For EPA, placemaking is not simply about improving public spaces. It is about strengthening democracy. As EPA we believe that Places are produced by social relations: transforming places requires transforming relations of power, care and agency.

We understand placemaking as a collaborative process through which communities shape places together. Rather than treating citizens as consultees, EPA promotes approaches that enable communities to become co-authors of change.

Through participatory methods, dialogue and co-creation, local people identify challenges, negotiate different perspectives and collectively develop solutions that respond to their own needs and aspirations.

WHAT MAKES EPA DIFFERENT?

EPA combines:

Critical Placemaking
Community Engagement
Non-Formal Education
Facilitation
European Peer Learning

EPA is not only about advancing participants' placemaking skills — it supports them to become educators and facilitators who lead participatory processes in their own communities.

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE

For an intensive five-day learning experience combining:

interactive workshops
study visits
fieldwork
participatory mapping
facilitation practice
co-creation
peer learning
reflection
local action planning

Throughout the week, participants will explore inspiring initiatives in Weimar and Erfurt while learning directly from practitioners working at the intersection of community development, participation and placemaking.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

During the Academy you will learn how to:

understand placemaking through the lens of participation, inclusion and democracy
read places by mapping actors, power relations, conflicts and opportunities
facilitate community dialogue and participatory learning processes
design inclusive workshops using Non-Formal Education methods
engage communities as co-creators rather than passive participants
use Design Thinking and collaborative tools to support community-led action
evaluate participation and strengthen long-term community stewardship

EPA LEARNING JOURNEY

How do we support participants to become educators and facilitators of participatory placemaking?

1. EXPERIENCE

2. UNDERSTAND

3. PRACTICE

4. FACILITATE

5. REFLECT

6. TRANSFER

Engage in participatory placemaking activities as a learner and experience non-formal education methods first-hand.

Develop a critical understanding of placemaking, community engagement, facilitation, and non-formal education principles.

Experiment with participatory tools, facilitation techniques and collaborative learning methods in a supportive environment.

Design and lead participatory learning activities, community dialogue and co-creation processes that empower others to contribute.

Evaluate experiences, facilitation practice and learning outcomes, while contributing to the refinement of the EPA toolkit.

Adapt, implement and facilitate placemaking methods in participants’ own organizations and communities, becoming active members of the European Community of Practice.

“I experience participation and build trust in the learning community”

“I understand key concepts and principles of critical placemaking”

“I practice tools and techniques, and gain confidence”

“I facilitate processes and empower others to co-create”

“I reflect, learn, and help improve the EPA toolkit”

“I apply and adapt methods locally, and stay connected in the Community of Practice”

Through this path we achieve a continous cycle of learning, action, and impact.

GENERAL TIMETABLE

19.10

20.10

21.10

22.10

23.10

24.10

25.10

ARRIVAL

EXPERIENCE → UNDERSTAND

UNDERSTAND → PRACTICE

PRACTICE → FACILITATE

FACILITATE

REFLECT → TRANSFER

DEPARTURE

GUIDING QUESTION:
What is Critical Participatory Placemaking and how do we experience it?

GUIDING QUESTION: How do we read places and understand communities?

GUIDING QUESTION: How do we facilitate meaningful participation in placemaking?

GUIDING QUESTION: How do we empower communities to co-create and sustain change?

GUIDING QUESTION: How do we apply and adapt these methods in our own communities?

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

We welcome motivated participants from:

municipalities
NGOs
community organisations
cultural organisations
adult education
youth work
neighbourhood initiatives
social innovation
urban development

Applicants must currently live in:

Germany
Belgium
Norway
Portugal

Previous experience in placemaking is recommended. We are looking for people who are curious, collaborative and motivated to create positive change in their communities.

WHAT WILL YOU GAIN?

By joining EPA you will:

develop practical facilitation skills for placemaking and citizen initiatives
learn innovative participatory methods
visit inspiring community initiatives
exchange experiences with practitioners from across Europe
contribute to testing and improving the EPA Toolkit
develop a Local Action Plan for your own community
join the European Community of Practice and EU mentorship

YOUR CONTRIBUTION

Participants are expected to:

actively engage in all training activities
contribute to collaborative learning
test and provide feedback on EPA educational resources
share experiences from their own context
implement and disseminate learning after the training

WHY PARTICIPATE

Because meaningful change begins with people.

If you believe that communities should have a stronger voice in shaping the places where they live, work and meet, this Academy is for you.

In this Training Course, we will explore how educators and facilitators can strengthen participation, build trust and support communities in becoming active co-creators of more inclusive, democratic and sustainable places.

HOW TO APPLY?

Please complete the application form below. It includes:

A short motivation video (maximum 3 minutes) introducing yourself and explaining why you would like to join the Academy.
Your CV with relevant experiences (maximum 2 pages).

Write us an E-Mail, if you have any questions or are unable to complete the form.

APPLICATION FORM

office@cge-erfurt.org

IMPORTANT DATES

Application deadline: September 7th 2026

Selection deadline:15th September 2026

Online Advance meeting with all selected participants:5th October 2026

LOGISTICS

Contribution: 30 Euro per participant*

*If you cannot pay the contribution fee, and want to visit the training, please contact us via E-mail to discuss your options.

All costs related to food, transport and accommodation of the period of Training Course in Weimar will be covered by the project.

Detailed infopack will be shared after participants selection.