Empowering creativity, collaboration, and innovation across Europe

Time for (S) Heroes is a European collaboration project led by South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Xamk. Bringing together six partner organizations from across Europe, the initiative supports creative talents through design innovation, residencies, business incubation, and cultural exchange.

Over the coming years, Time for (S) Heroes will build capacity, foster cross-border partnerships, and celebrate design excellence through the Design Wave Festival, Residencies, and an international Symposium.

Timeline of (S) Heroes

2025
2025 Digital Portal & Capacity building

We focus on building the groundwork for the learning materials.

2026
03/2026 Open Call & Team Proposals

The Open call is announced and teams can make their proposals from March 2026 onwards.

2026
11/2026 Design Wave Festival

We help the teams to develop their design ideas. The hackathon event is held in Riga in November 2026.

2027
2027 Residencies in Spain & Finland

The top teams from the Open Call are invited to a co-creation event to refine their projects.

2027
2027 Business Incubation Program

We support creative professionals in transforming their ideas into viable businesses. Onsite event is held in Estonia.

2028
2028 Symposium & Guidelines

We showcase the final results of the Open Calls and the project itself.

2028
2028 Exhibitions

We have physical and digital exhibitions across Europe.

2025
2026
2027
2028
2029

six EUROPEAN ORGANIzATIONS

Behind the scenes


The six project partners from different European countries complement each. Every partner organization has specific responsibilities during the project. Here are the key points regarding our responsibilities and capabilities. Please explore each organization further on their respective websites.

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences

Xamk's Creative Industries Research Unit is the lead partner of the project. Xamk brings in project coordinating competencies, knowledge in digital fashion and costume design, and supports digital development and co-design.

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ESPRONCEDA — Institute of Art & Culture

ESPRONCEDA — Institute of Art & Culture

Powered by Lemongrass communications S.L., ESPRONCEDA supports interconnection between art, culture, science, and society. ESPRONCERA facilitates the creation of design, especially within the residencies.

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The Latvian Technological Center

The Latvian Technological Center

LTC is a technology and innovation-orientated business support structure, and has great experience in event organization. LTC is leading the planning and realization of Design Wave Festival.

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Kosmoskosmos

Kosmoskosmos

Web development like nothing you've ever seen—we program portals, websites, and apps. Kosmoskosmos is in charge of the web design process of the digital portal.

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The Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture

The Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture

NDPC is a unique co-operation platform that has flexibility to work with public and private organizations. NDPC’s responsibilities are project are related to communication, dissemination and capacity building.

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Tallinn Business Incubator

Tallinn Business Incubator

TBI has fostered the growth of design market in Estonia and showcased products internationally. In this project TBI offers the design participants an incubator program that supports in developing business models from preliminary ideas.

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About

Project summary

Project name: Time for (S) Heroes – in fashion, costume design, and art installations for sustainable future, zero waste, digital processes and co-design.

Funder: Creative Europe / European Education and Culture Executive Agency

Project duration: 1.10.2024–30.9.2028

Total budget: EUR 1,425,788 (EU share of the total budget: EUR 998,051)

Project administrator: South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Xamk

Co-implementers: Espronceda – Institute of Art & Culture, Tallinn Creative Incubator (TCI), Latvian Technological Centre (LTC), The Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture (NDPC) and Kosmoskosmos 

Knowledge and objectives: Digital economy. Develop sustainable and digital design, strengthen entrepreneurship in the creative industries and increase awareness of ecological choices