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FestiSkills Hunters

CB0800419 – FestiSkills Hunters - Enhancing festival management skills for a competitive future in the labor market







General

Funder: Central Baltic Programme 2021-2027 - https://centralbaltic.eu/
Programme objective: PO 6 Improved employment opportunities on labour market
The total cost of the project : 213.483,44 euros
Union co-financing rate 80%: 170786.74 euros
Project duration: 1. May 2025 - 31. August 2026
Geographical location of the project:  The border areas of Eastern Estonia (Lake Peipsi region) and Finland (South Karelia and Imatra) are facing economic and social problems. '

Project lead partner: Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation
Project partner: The Black & White Theatre Association

Project manager: Ederi Ojasoo, ederi.ojasoo@gmail.com









Project aim:
To enhance the employability and competitiveness of women aged 40+ in North-East Estonia and South Karelia, Finland, by providing practical training in festival and event management. The project aims to reduce regional unemployment and strengthen the local cultural economy.

Project summary
The common challenge for rural border areas, Lake Peipsi Region in Estonia, East, and Imatra region, are lack of employment opportunities and difficulties to attract people to come to the regions.
Festivals and cultural events can boost local economies, create job opportunities, and attract tourism, which is crucial for regions that are struggling with high unemployment rates and economic decline. By training participants in a field that has growth potential, the project aligns with the needs of both regions, contributing to the improving their labor markets.
The aim of the FestiSkills Hunters to increase the competitiveness of women aged 40 and over in regions with high unemployment rates—specifically North-East Estonia and South Karelia, Finland—by increasing active people's skills in festival and event management.


Activities

May 2025- Project kick-off meeting in Estonia -  The project kick-off meeting will take place in Estonia and will be organized by the Peipsi Cooperation Center.

August 2025 - Training program kick-off event in Finland - The training program will officially start in August 2025 in Imatra, Finland. The structure, objectives, mentoring and trainers of the training program will be introduced. Participants will gain their first practical experience as job shadowing event organizers at a local film festival.

September 2025  -January 2026  -  Online training program modules - The program consists of eight online modules, which include lectures and homework. Each module covers important topics such as budgeting, marketing, teamwork, crisis management, sustainability and digital tools, etc. 

June 2026 Training program observation event in Estonia  - A meeting of the training program participants will take place in Estonia. There will be a 2-day meeting in Viljandi, where workshops and a visit to a sample event will be held and its analysis will be conducted.

September - June 2026 - Pilot projects and mentoring -  From Septemebr to June 2026, participants will implement their own small or medium-sized event or festival project. Each participant will receive individual mentoring for approximately four months. The mentoring will support the successful implementation and development of the practical event project. The mentors will also help prepare a funding application to cover the event activities.

Introducing the project to stakeholders and the public - During this activity, the public will be informed about the project's objectives and importance in developing local culture and entrepreneurship.








Project materials

14.08.2025 Module 1: Fundamentals of festival management (
Astrid Hallik, event management expert, NGO Vaba Kava founder - RECORDING: https://youtu.be/i0vamQReNtE 

22.-25.8.2025 EVENT VISIT and WORKSHOPS at Saimaa Film Festival, Imatra in Finland. Program kick-off and practical experience during the film festival in Imatra by Juha-Pekka Natunen, Event management in the festival, creating context: the Saimaa Film Festival example - RECORDING: https://youtu.be/K9yzOoZjRfU

23.09.2025 Module 2: Eco-friendly festivals, accessibility and event sustainability  (FIN) Time: 18:00 - 20.30
Marleen Viidul, Sustainable and eco-friendly festivals practice in Estonia, Acento OÜ - RECORDING: https://youtu.be/G-W1FNOvvpI   
Sara Ibrahim, Project and Event Manager - RECORDING: https://youtu.be/RcAelaDEFb0 


07.10.2025 Module 3: Crisis management and problem solving
Peedu Põld, Head of Operations, Estonian Traditional Music Center - RECORDING: https://youtu.be/5T7BAb4P2PE


21.10.2025 Module 4: Financial management and budgeting
 Johanna Rajamäki, senior producer, Helsinki Events Foundation - RECORDING: https://youtu.be/vRFX6I2Cqj8 

4.11.2025 Module 5: Marketing and communication
Aleksandra Leštšuk, SA Ida-Viru Entrepreneurship Center, marketing specialist and consultant for entrepreneurs on digital marketing - RECORDING: https://youtu.be/j22uVebqqko 

18.11.2025 Module 6: Team management and collaboration
Killu Kolsar, Team management and volunteers involving practice in Treski festival -
Johanna Rajamäki, senior producer, Helsinki Events Foundation
RECORDING https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUwwHxNjUU 

13.01.2026 Module 7: Innovation and digital tools for festival organization
 Jaan Leppik, The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival ticket sales manager, development project manager - RECORDING: https://youtu.be/wtOQ7D2mmvE 

27.01.2026 Module 8: Event ideas pitching and project implementation
Event ideas pitching by Riina Mikkonen https://youtu.be/tqbAm8LBLTk 
Event ideas pitching and what is a good event: https://youtu.be/U5gaSeFrIp4?list=PL2vh48DUwRaHLCJJMp64Ls7tKXjOrz1f7 




This activity was supported as part of FestiSkills Hunters , an Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021-
2027 project co-funded by the European Union.