About project

Why this project was created?

Baltic Circular Threads was created through cooperation between organisations in Estonia and Finland that work with young people, creative industries and entrepreneurship. The project partners – Tartu Centre for Creative Industries in Estonia, Mikkeli Development Miksei Ltd and South Savo Vocational College (ESEDU) in Finland – recognised a common challenge in their regions.
Many young people have practical skills in crafts, textiles, fashion or design, but they often lack the business knowledge needed to turn these skills into sustainable livelihoods. At the same time, the fashion and textile sector is under growing pressure to adopt more environmentally responsible practices.
The project was therefore launched to combine entrepreneurship training with knowledge about circular economy and sustainable design. By working together across borders, the partners can share expertise, connect regional creative communities and offer young people new opportunities to develop their ideas into viable businesses.
Baltic Circular Threads strengthens cooperation between the creative and education sectors in both regions and supports the development of more sustainable and innovative creative industries.

How the project benefits young creatives?

The project focuses on young people aged 18–29 who already have skills or education in crafts, textiles, fashion or design but need support to develop their business ideas.
Through the training programme, participants gain practical knowledge about entrepreneurship, marketing, financial planning, digital tools and sustainable production. They also learn how circular economy principles can be applied in the fashion and textile sectors.
The project gives young creatives the opportunity to develop their ideas, expand professional networks and gain confidence to start or grow their own business. In the long term, this supports youth employment, entrepreneurship and more sustainable creative industries in the region.

What the project will do?

Baltic Circular Threads is a three-year cross-border project that will organise four training cycles for young creatives from Estonia and Finland.
Each training cycle brings together 24 participants (12 from Estonia and 12 from Finland) who are interested in developing business ideas in the craft, fashion and textile sectors.
The programme combines in-person events, online learning and mentoring. Each cycle includes:

• a kick-off event, where participants meet, learn the basics of entrepreneurship and develop their ideas,
• a series of online workshops and mentoring sessions covering topics such as sustainable design, branding, digital tools and financial management,
• and a closing event, where participants present their ideas and practice pitching.

Throughout the programme, participants receive guidance from experts and mentors and gain practical tools to turn creative ideas into sustainable business concepts. By working together across borders, participants exchange experiences, build professional networks and learn from different regional perspectives in the creative industries.