Brand managers, designers, creatives, visual language experts, SoMe & PR talents willing to enjoy an international experience are invited to apply for #TheAlternativeSchool’s #FutureProofCreativity Fall–Winter Module - an intensive, creativity-driven study program paired with real-brief work.
The program takes place live, via a dedicated event and online, twice a week in the evenings, between November 5th and December 8th, with Cannes Lions as the final destination for the winners.
#FutureProofCreativity and the Young Lions Design competition are proudly supported by Ursus Breweries for the second year in a row - after helping two teams go from scholarships through last year’s module all the way to Cannes Lions 2025. More partners and allies will be announced soon.
The online sessions will be complemented by a live event, powered by Invizibilii.ro, our long-time partner for RHA & ERA scholarships, set to continue into 2026.
The event, taking place on November 5th, will focus on international trends in Kindful Brands dynamics, exploring how major corporate players are making a difference for minorities, underrepresented, and vulnerable communities. Among the speakers: the voices behind INVIZIBILII.RO, alongside those empowered through the RHA & ERA 2025 programs. In the audience - the business, creative, CSR passionate, culture-related and diplomatic communities reunited.
#FutureProofCreativity: What Will You Study?
Highly awarded professionals from Romania and abroad - voices shaping the global creative agenda - will explore the hottest topics in today’s marcom ecosystem:
- Art & Advertising – why an educated retina matters
- Branding Today – to sell / to educate / to impact / to inspire
- Brands Talk: Identity & Culture – local flavour saves the day
- Contemporary Design & Visual Languages to shape society
- Contemporary Marketing – when sales meet meaning
- Creativity vs AI Tools – from all angles: conceptual, philosophical, and practical
- Design Thinking / Design Feeling
- Film & Advertising – what’s old, what’s new?
- Gamevertising
- Humour in Visual Languages, Advertising & Beyond
- Hybrid Disciplines – Design + PR / PR + Digital / Film + PR. Why synthesis beats sum
- Illustration as an Emotion Activator
- SDG Goals – how to be a brand with a conscious life (greenwashing not included)
- SoMe & Digital – Create to Amplify. Meaning beyond the noise
- Strategy Starts from the Product – design-embedded communication
- The Future of Research
- The Power of Insight
- The Role of Design in an AI-driven society
Look who’s talking…
When and where?
• November 5th - December 8th
• Mondays and Thursdays | 7:00-9:00 PM | Zoom
• One live event on November 5th
For whom?
Brand managers, creatives, gamers, designers, marketing, PR, and strategy professionals, regardless of experience level or age. What unites them is the passion for creativity in marketing, branding, and communication in all its interpretations.
Fees:
#FutureProofCreativity Module + access to the three briefs for the local Young Lions competition heading to Cannes:
• 1000 € + VAT / team of 2 under 30
• 500 € + VAT / individual under 30
• 800 € + VAT / team of 2 under 25
• 400 € + VAT / individual under 25
Over 30
Access to #FutureProofCreativity Module:
• 1500 € + VAT for a team of 2 over 30
• 800 € + VAT for individual participation over 30
Competition access / No specialization
500 € + VAT for a team of 2 (under 30), with access to 3 competition briefs for the local Young Lions Competition heading to Cannes
To enter for this Creative MBA Module, send your invoice data and the number of teams enrolled & their cv to Andra Serea, Communication Architect: [email protected].
Scholarship Alert via Ursus Breweries
Ursus Breweries, the supporter of the 2026 Young Lions Competiton will ofer 20 scholarships to the #FutureProofCreativity Module - the brief will be released soon.
Scholarship Alert via INVIZIBILII.RO
INVIZIBILII.RO, the supporter of the 2026 RHA / ERA competition, will offer 20 scholarships to the #FutureProofCreativityModule, for the most talented students under 25, belonging to the ERA categories:
- Freelancers, small creative entrepreneurs, solopreneurs in the creative economy facing financial challenges
- Students, master’s, or PhD candidates with financial difficulties
- Creatives from vulnerable family situations (e.g., single-parent families)
- Talents from rural areas or small towns, with limited opportunities
The ERA Applications will be extended for anyone working in the creative economy who has faced discrimination based on gender, age, ethnicity, origin, spiritual beliefs or political views.
The Scholarship application pack:
- A 2-minute YouTube video in English, about your creative self, as a possible answer to the headline: “My life is a movie. This is its trailer”. Focus on the most challenging situations where creativity was the answer.
- An intention letter (under one page) detailing the personal context that qualifies you for the ERA Scholarship.
- A google drive link including: your CV with social media links and a portfolio (if applicable) & a portrait photo for the badge, should you win.
Send you application to Andra Serea at [email protected].
Deadline:
October 30, 11:59 PM
Which competitions are available for Cannes Lions 2026?
Talents aspiring to a full-week Cannes Lions experience should consider the following categories:
• 1 Young Lions Design team of 2, empowered by Ursus
• A Roger Hatchuel Academy (RHA) scholarship for the best application
• 2 ERA scholarships, both empowered by INVIZIBILII.RO
Selection for the Young Lions, RHA, and ERA programs will be based primarily on merit.
A challenging socio-economic background or personal identity beliefs will never outweigh talent, doubled by hard work.
Referencing ERA status in the 2-minute video is not mandatory if it feels uncomfortable; however, it’s important to include this information in the intention letter.
Who’s behind our adorable posters ?
The visuals for the #FutureProofCreativity and competition campaigns are crafted by award-winning illustrator Georgiana Chițac, recipient of the 2025 ERA / INVIZIBILII.RO scholarship in the “female solopreneur, single mom” category.
