What is the Staff Exchange Program?

The Staff Exchange Program is an exchange opportunity for staff members of creative hubs across Europe. It is designed to help participants gain valuable work experience, learn new practices, and develop innovative skills by shadowing a peer for a week in another hub.Upon their return, participants can apply the insights and experiences gained during the exchange within their home hub.

The Staff Exchange is tailored to team members at any career level- whether you are hub manager, a production manager, communication officer, bar manager, technician, accountant, or any other role within a hub.

This is your chance to:

• Learn from peers in a different hub
• Gain hands-on professional experience in new contexts
• Bring back knowledge and tools to strengthen your hub’s team

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to:

• Any staff member working in a creative hub that is a member of the European Creative Hubs Network (ECHN)
• Applicants can be at any stage of their career and from any professional background

How the Exchange Works

Participants will travel to another creative hub to learn new skills, practices, and methodologies that they can later apply in their home hub.

The exchange can be customized based on learning goals, for example: job shadowing, project-based collaboration, workshops or lectures or other hands-on training formats.

Support Provided

• Up to €1175 for travel and accommodation for up to 5 days (up to €350 grant per participant to cover travel expenses and €165 for subsistence for up to 5 days) 
• Access to a Europe-wide network of creative hubs and professional talents
• Promotion of your experience through ECHN’s communication channels

Application Process

Find your match
Start by browsing the ECHN Network Map to explore member hubs. You can filter your search by country, sector, services, or facilities, and remember to tick the “available for mobility programs” box. Once you have identified potential hubs, contact them directly to confirm their interest and availability. After securing a match, you will also need to identify a mentor within the Hosting Hub’s team. 

Complete the Application Form

The application form must be completed by the participant and should include a Work Plan draft. This draft should clearly outline the theme of the exchange, the key objectives, and the planned activities.

Once the application is approved, the participant and the Hosting Hub will sign an agreement and finalize the plan.

If you need support in the process, you can reach out to rita@creativehubs.net & natassa@creativehubs.net for assistance.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

• Quality of the proposed program
• Quality of expected outputs

All exchanges must be transnational (between hubs in different countries).

Please note: ECHN reserves the right to decline applications that do not meet program requirements.

Why Join?

By participating, you will:

• Boost your career with new skills and experiences
• Expand your professional network across Europe
• Contribute to your hub’s growth with fresh knowledge and practices

Take this opportunity to upskill, learn, and bring new energy into your hub!

Click here to apply