Design and framework of transformation agents training programme

EIT Culture & Creativity’s mission is to transform the cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI) and address sector-specific challenges when it comes to education, innovation, and business creation and foster interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration. In this way, EIT Culture & Creativity unlocks the innovative potential of its fragmented ecosystem, contributing to Europe’s transition and accelerating transformation towards sustainable and responsible economic growth of the EU CCSI.

By blending business and non-profit approaches, EIT Culture & Creativity ensures that culture and creativity have the space and mandate to be catalysts for societal transformation, fostering social cohesion and resilience. Recognising the vital role the CCSI play in shaping sustainable societies, this Request for Proposals seeks to bridge gaps between different practices, such as cultural, financial, and industrial practices, and policymaking. Next to education, business creation, and innovation, EIT Culture & Creativity has a dedicated area focused on Transformation.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) invites people or organisations with extensive experience in systemic innovation, systems thinking, and transformative leadership to design a framework for a training programme – Transformation Agents. The framework includes a full 3-month long programme including an in-person course that will take place in Q4 2025.

EIT Culture & Creativity is dedicated to fostering innovation and transformation through the cultural and creative sectors and industries across Europe. The 2025 EIT Culture & Creativity pilot programme – Transformation Agents – is designed to equip participants with the skills, attitudes and knowledge to foster systemic societal transformation within their communities and professional settings. Through collaboration, mentorship, and practical applications, participants will refine their leadership competences and facilitation skills, strengthening their preparedness in addressing complex societal challenges and their ability to increase such preparedness in the multi-actor collaboration contexts where they will be active.

he transformation agents trained in this learning space will be better equipped to play a pivotal role in implementing further Societal Transformation Initiatives, planned to be launched in 2026 by EIT Culture & Creativity. With their specific competences (knowledge, skills, and attitudes), these individuals will be instrumental in bridging gaps, fostering collaborations, embedding creative and design approaches into
processes of systemic transformation, and eventually ensuring that the initiatives achieve their intended systemic impact. Acting as connectors and catalysts, they will work within the regional network to translate visionary ideas into actionable strategies, driving tangible change at multiple levels, driven by the power of creativity.

The learning programme uses different formats, ensuring an engaging, holistic, and practice-based experience that supports diverse learning styles and deep integration of knowledge. These formats are designed to bridge theory and practice, enabling participants to internalise and apply transformative principles in real-world contexts:
• Interactive lectures: led by experts in systemic thinking and design for systemic transformation;
• Workshops and exercises: hands-on, collaborative activities to apply concepts in real-time and operate in cycles of reflection-on-action;
• Peer-learning: structured opportunities for participants to share knowledge and experiences;
• Mentorship: one-on-one and group sessions with experienced transformation leaders.

The programme is articulated through different modules, each designed to build upon the last, blending theoretical insights with experiential learning and practical application; together, they guide participants through a progressive journey, from initial exposure to immersive experiences and collaborative sessions, to voluntary deep dives and local implementation, ensuring that transformation agents are equipped not only with knowledge but with the confidence and contextual awareness to catalyse change in their own communities.

The Transformation Agents Programme serves as a critical intervention, empowering individuals and organisations to transcend traditional approaches and embrace transformative change. The desired collective outcomes are aiming at:
1. Bridging the Gap Between Knowledge and Action – Many individuals and organisations understand the need for systemic change but lack the tools or frameworks to act effectively. The mentorship programme provides hands-on guidance, equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to design and implement actionable solutions that address complex societal challenges.
2. Nurturing Leadership for Systemic Change – Systemic issues require systemic solutions, which can only be driven by leaders who understand the interconnectedness of our cultural, social, and environmental systems. This programme cultivates such leaders/transformation agents who can navigate complexity, inspire others, and create ripple effects of positive change within their communities and sectors.
3. Strengthening Resilience in Communities – With the increasing frequency of disruptions—from economic crises to climate emergencies—resilience has become a cornerstone of sustainable development. The programme teaches participants how to foster resilience within their own contexts, helping communities not only survive but thrive in the face of uncertainty.

4. Promoting Collaboration Over Competition – Our current structures often emphasise competition, which can lead to fragmentation and inefficiency. The mentorship programme encourages collaboration — both within the cohort and with external partners— fostering shared learning, mutual support, and collective problem-solving.
5. Embedding a Culture of Unlearning and Reimagining – Many societal structures are rooted in outdated paradigms that no longer serve us. The programme challenges participants to unlearn entrenched practices and reimagine systems that are inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. This process of unlearning is essential for breaking free from the limitations of the status quo.
6. Amplifying Local Impact with Global Perspective – While systemic challenges often have global dimensions, their manifestations and solutions are inherently local. By bringing together diverse participants from different geographies and sectors, the mentorship programme provides a global perspective that enhances local impact, enabling participants to tailor their approaches to their unique
contexts.
7. Building Networks of Transformation Agents – Change is rarely achieved in isolation. The programme creates a network of transformation agents who can support and inspire each other, share resources and ideas, and collectively drive progress. This network becomes a living system of innovation, resilience, and adaptability.