CREATIVE Bridge
ended
CREATIVE Bridge
Creative Bridge is an initiative aimed at empowering creative young individuals, particularly those aged 18-25, within more distant rural areas in South Estonia and Central Finland. With the training programme, that focuses on business development in the creative industry, we increase the essential skills and knowledge of young people, which are required for entering the creative labour market.
In the European Union and Nordic countries, a common challenge faced by young people is the lack of relevant work experience, limited employment opportunities and skills mismatches. The problem with unemployment is particularly acute in less competitive regions, such as South Estonia and rural areas in Finland. In these areas many young individuals have practical skills in the creative fields, but struggle to transform this passion into sustainable and durable business.
Results
Regional challenges – From a regional perspective, both areas face: high youth unemployment rates, particularly among 18–25-year-olds, limited access to networks, mentors, and real-world training opportunities in rural and lack of visibility and access to international creative markets and platforms.
From a sectoral perspective, the creative industry faces the challenge of being underdeveloped as a sustainable business sector in these regions. Many young creatives (especially in fields like fashion, accessory design, crafts, and other design services) operate informally, treating their creative output as a hobby or side activity rather than a scalable profession.
Another key challenge is the skills mismatch—young people often possess raw talent and artistic vision but lack the entrepreneurial, business, and sustainability skills needed to turn their creativity into long-term, income-generating ventures. Additionally, there is a lack of awareness and training in circular economy practices, which are increasingly vital to competitiveness in European and global markets.
The Creative Bridge project specifically addressed the problem of youth underemployment and creative entrepreneurship barriers in rural regions of South Estonia and Central Finland. Talented individuals in these areas often lack access to business development tools, mentoring, and cross-border exposure—factors that are critical to transforming creative interests into sustainable enterprises.
By launching an international training and mentoring programme, Creative Bridge equipped youth aged 18–25 with practical tools to develop sustainable business models, grow their own brands, and position themselves in both local and international creative markets. The project emphasized entrepreneurial mindset building, business model innovation, and green design thinking, offering a comprehensive solution tailored to the challenges of young creatives in less competitive regions.
The cross-border nature of the initiative between Tartu and Tampere further addressed regional disparities by building international networks, opening access to shared resources, and fostering collaboration.
The core idea of the Creative Bridge project was to empower young creative individuals (aged 18–25) from less competitive and rural regions of South Estonia and Central Finland by equipping them with entrepreneurial, business development, and green design skills, enabling them to turn their creative talents into sustainable and scalable businesses.
The project addressed the gap between creativity and entrepreneurship by offering a cross-border training and mentoring programme that:
Fostered an entrepreneurial mindset through expert-led workshops, mentoring, and real-life business experience.
Provided tools for developing viable business models, presentation skills, and market readiness.
Promoted green and circular economy principles as the foundation for responsible and future-oriented creative enterprises.
Created opportunities for cross-border collaboration, networking, and participation in international design events and exhibitions.
By combining practical learning, hands-on experience, and international exposure, Creative Bridge aimed to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, turning creative passion into long-term professional success within the Central Baltic region and beyond.
The solution developed and implemented by the Creative Bridge project was a cross-border training and mentoring programme specifically tailored for young creative individuals (aged 18–25) in South Estonia and Central Finland, focusing on transforming creative skills into sustainable and market-ready businesses.
| The Creative Bridge project, through its comprehensive training programme “Empowering Young Entrepreneurs for Success,” significantly contributed to the Central Baltic Programme’s goal of increasing entrepreneurship among young adults (ages 18–25) in Estonia and Finland. Of the 49 total participants, 40 completed the full cycle and received certification, demonstrating improved entrepreneurial competencies and readiness to launch or scale creative businesses.
Participants developed: – Entrepreneurial thinking During Milestone I, participants attended the Cycle 1 Kick-Out event, mainly organised by the Finnish partner. The Baltic Institute of Finland and Modus ry hosted a 3-day event in Tampere, featuring participant presentations, study visits, and participation in the Designtori Christmas market. This event provided valuable networking opportunities and gathered participant feedback for ongoing programme improvement. In June 2025, TCCI coordinated the Training Cycle II final event in Tartu, which included the Creative Bridge Pop-Up Exhibition at the Estonian National Museum and the public seminar “The Future of Green Fashion Business.” All project participants took part in joint cross-border activities, including: In Module I (Creative Company Business Models and Business Development), trainees learned to identify and develop business ideas, exploring innovative business models that emphasize sustainability and green entrepreneurship. Module II (Brand Strategy) guided participants in creating cohesive brand identities aligned with circular economy principles. In Module III (Customer-Centric Value Proposition), participants got skills to develpe value propositions focused on customer needs. Module VI (Circular Economy Networks) enabled participants to build meaningful cross-border partnerships. Module VII was on finance, digital marketing, and product-service integration combined practical skills with sustainability challenges, equipping young entrepreneurs to navigate the green business landscape confidently. Module VIII was about (Digital Marketing and Online Presence) defined a strategy that helps a business to reach the target audience, engage with customers and drive sales.
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Cycle 2 Online training session recordings
Online training sessions of the training Cycle 1. Developed together by both partners. Partners had several meetings for that.
Our training cycle included eight sessions From both countries there were at least 4 lectors. TCCI provided technical support for the online training sessions of the training Cycle 1. TCCI provided zoom links for the sessions and also was responsive for the session recordings. TCCI sent out every week inviotations and preinformation introduction to modules. After that TCCI edited recordings and uploaded them to You Tube. All recordings are available here:
Module 1. module (EST) 26. March, https://youtu.be/gm–KnBqzkk
Module 2. (FIN) 2. April, https://youtu.be/agygvZ_SUXM
Module 3 (EST) 9. April, https://youtu.be/2l5gLaudaKI
Module 4. (FIN) 16. April, https://youtu.be/SXFBrOB1Wig
Module 5. (EST) 23 April, https://youtu.be/RdbHxWyQcGI
Pop-up discussion on 23.04
Module 6 (FIN) 7. may, https://youtu.be/Hs-vEnqqwQQ
Module 7. (EST)14. may, https://youtu.be/NBvL3dsKOSE
Module 8. (FIN) 21. may, https://youtu.be/dVH2EmZs-2E
Pop-Up preparation I 23.04.2025
40 young people completed the full cycle and received certification
The Creative Bridge project, through its comprehensive training programme “Empowering Young Entrepreneurs for Success,” significantly contributed to the Central Baltic Programme’s goal of increasing entrepreneurship among young adults (ages 18–25) in Estonia and Finland. Of the 49 total participants, 40 completed the full cycle and received certification, demonstrating improved entrepreneurial competencies and readiness to launch or scale creative businesses.
Participants developed:
– Entrepreneurial thinking,
– Knowledge of sustainable and circular business models
– Brand identity strategies,
– Financial planning skills,
– And the ability to present and manage real design projects.
– strong networks with senior entrepreneurs and industry actors (at least in Finland)
CREATIVE BRIDGE “Empowering Young Entrepreneurs for Success Creative Bridge” training prorgamme recordings
Module 1. module
Creative Company Business Models and Business Development
Maret Ahonen, Entrepreneurship and Team Coaching, Ex-Startup Lab Manager Personal and Professional Growth Enthusiast: https://youtu.be/gm–KnBqzkk
Module 2.
Brand Strategy
Lead Trainer Taina Laaksonen, MBA – Design Association, Modus
Mentor: Entrepreneur, Artist Behnaz Fazelian
https://youtu.be/agygvZ_SUXM
Module 3
Customer-Centric Value Proposition
Andres Kuusik, Professor of Marketing at University of Tartu
https://youtu.be/2l5gLaudaKI
Module 4. (FIN) 16. April
From talent to business, finding your way
Lead Trainer Taina Laaksonen, MBA -Design Association, Modus
Mentor: Behnaz Fazelian
https://youtu.be/SXFBrOB1Wig
Module 5.
Integration of Service and Product in the Value Proposition, sustainability challenges .
Maria Kristiin Peterson – Estonian Fashion Festival / sustainability ambassador
Triinu Pungits from Tring OÜ
https://youtu.be/RdbHxWyQcGI
Pop-up discussion on 23.04
https://youtu.be/jq85Y0NizzQ
CREATIVE BRIDGE “Empowering Young Entrepreneurs for Success Creative Bridge” training prorgamme recordings
CREATIVE BRIDGE “Empowering Young Entrepreneurs for Success Creative Bridge” training prorgamme recordings. This training programme is aspiring young people entrepreneur looking to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses. “Empowering Young Entrepreneurs for Success” program is a dynamic and engaging series of sessions that will equip participant with the essential knowledge and skills needed to enter world of business.
Module I vide link: https://youtu.be/TFRJ8DuJ8w8
Module II video link: https://youtu.be/1l-TpSXbJlM
Module III video link: https://youtu.be/oTPexiAM990
Module IV video: https://youtu.be/jMCPLjOw3aM
Module V video – https://youtu.be/7uMMjKfl1Fk
Module VI video link: https://youtu.be/3lMD66x02nM
CREATIVE BRIDCE cycle I training programme
This training programme is aspiring young people entrepreneur looking to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses. “Empowering Young Entrepreneurs for Success” program is a dynamic and engaging series of sessions that will equip participant with the essential knowledge and skills needed to enter world of business
Training programme will be led through inspiration and networking, and through initiating or redesigning personal company business models. It will encourage participants to enter the creative market, and provide them tools with which to reach the potential customers. The programme encourages “Green Design thinking” and increases the skills on how to present design products and services. In other words, the Training programme’s aim is teaching participants green and circular business models and developing them a new way of thinking.
Expected results
The main activity of the Creative Bridge project is an entrepreneurship training program. 40 young people will gain increased competitiveness on the labour market. Participants will build an international network within the design and creative industry. This network will provide them with valuable connections, opening doors to collaborations, partnerships, and opportunities.
Participants contribute to strengthening the overall creative ecosystem by sharing ideas, practices, and innovative solutions. They will be better prepared to enter the market with sustainable and circular business models, addressing the pressing issues of our time.
Duration 01.06.2024 - 31.07.2025
Total budget
Programme priority
Improved employment opportunitiesProgramme objective
PO6 - Improved employment opportunities on labour marketLead partner
Foundation Tartu Centre for Creative Industries
Project Events
Project Stories
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Managing Authority
Joint Secretariat
c/o Regional Council
of Southwest Finland
Visiting address: Linnankatu 52 B, Turku, Finland
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 273,
20101 Turku, Finland
E-mail: info@centralbaltic.eu
Phone: +358 40 550 8408
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