About Us
The project
Lakescape is a one-year Creative Europe project, collaboratively implemented by partners from Sweden, Hungary and North Macedonia, representing three of Europe’s Great Lakes: Vänern, Balaton and Ohrid. It explores creativity-based approaches to contribute to the regeneration of lakeshore ecosystems and communities, highlighting the role of art and culture in promoting sustainable and healthy lake ecosystems and communities across Europe.
When pollution, eutrophication, and over-tourism threaten Europe's lakes
Where lakeshore communities face population decline and limited opportunities
We engage art and culture to help restoration and regeneration of lake-sites
Our work evolves around four core pillars that bring communities, ecosystems and culture together:
Our project, wants to
Empower Creators – Design & Craft for Sustainable Lakes
Support 12 design and craft professionals to research, prototype and represent new product lines, that are inspired by and environmentally friendly to European lake ecosystems and resources.
Participants engage in residencies that offer opportunities for knowledge
exchange, eco-conscious creative practice, and public exposure—both in-person and online.
Invent Lake-Friendly events Floating gallery across borders
Bring creative vibrancy in lake shore communities by prototyping lake-specific cultural initiative:
A floating design market
Three floating exhibitions will be piloted in three residency lake sites: Lidköping, Barnag, Struga, exploring how the lakes can serve as platforms for environmentally aware cultural exchange, where human creation and nature are in balanced interaction.
After the pilot events, the first official Floating design market will be launched on the waters of biggest Europe’s lake Vänern in Sweden.
Establish educational platform – Spreading the Voices of the Great Lakes
Lakescape promotes awareness of the importance of Great Lakes through lectures, artist residencies, workshops, a summit, and a digital platform. These activities highlight ways to rebalance human-nature relationships.
Educational program will include renewable design experts, biologists specializing in freshwater ecosystems, environmental educators, and art historians. Public workshops led by selected creators will offer hands-on learning in eco-conscious design and craft.
Promote Eco-Culture Art as agent for Lake Regeneration
LAKESCAPE uses storytelling, film and cultural events to highlight the importance of healthy lake ecosystems and encourages collective stewardship of urban and rural waterscapes.
Short videos, creative narratives, informative contents, festive eco events, engaging workshops and public presentations in all of the 3 sites in Sweden, Hungary and North Macedonia will serve as powerful tools to advocate for sustainable living by the Great Lakes.
PROJECT TIMELINE
Project kick-off:
March 2025
Open Call Launch:
April 14, 2025
Application Deadline:
May 12, 2025
Notification of Selected Participants:
May 19, 2025
Residencies:
June – July 2025
Floating Market (Final Event):
August 15–16, 2025, Lidköping, Sweden
E-Store Launch:
September 2025
Catalogue Release:
October – November 2025
Ongoing:
Continuous promotion and content production to engage audiences throughout the entire project duration.
Project Conclusion:
April 2026
LAKESCAPE explores how craftsmanship and design can reflect, reshape, and support more
harmonious relationships with aquatic ecosystems.
By anchoring the project on the shores of Europe’s Great Lakes, we recognize the lakes not merely as scenic backdrops, but as dynamic ecosystems and cultural landscapes that inform and inspire our work.
LAKESCAPE is a Creative Europe project co-funded by the European Union.
Contact Us:
info@lakescape.eu
PARTNERS
Transversal Project
Transversal Project is a cultural management and production agency, specialized in transnational cooperation. Based in Sweden but active across Europe, Transversal Project manages and produces cultural initiatives promoting transnational and transdisciplinary collaboration – such as artistic residencies, cultural festivals, artistic research & development.
Association Initiative for Independent Cultural Activism INCA
INCA is a collective of independent artists and cultural workers based in Struga, North Macedonia. United by a shared mission to advocate for and produce cultural and artistic work at the local level, INCA focuses on art activism and participatory practices that engage with natural environments and public spaces. The organization is experienced in festival production, artistic residencies, urban and digital activism—including “artvertising” through fanzines, websites, merchandise, video, and poster design—serving a wide range of socio-cultural causes.
Over 13 years of activity, INCA has been a lead, partner and associate in numerous cultural initiatives at the local, regional, and international levels. As one of the most active organizations in North Macedonia’s independent cultural scene, INCA advocates for cultural needs outside the capital and contributes to shaping national cultural policies while strengthening artistic and cultural networks.
Pro Progressione
Pro Progressione is a Budapest-based artistic hub that connects people, professions and ambitions by designing international collaborations in the field of culture. The organization focuses its capacities on the fields where it aims to have a positive long-term impact, thus it is built up on six main pillars:
PP Social:
Socially engaged arts
PP Cult:
Cultural and natural heritage interpretation
PP Sound:
Music as tradition
PP Arts:
Production of unique performances
PP Green:
Environmental and social sustainability
PP Plus:
Methodology development combining theory and practice
Pro Progressione is an official partner of the European Commission’s New European Bauhaus Initiative and actively participates in international networks such as Culture Action Europe, IETM or Voices of Culture. Through EU-funded interdisciplinary projects, the organization builds an international network of artists, institutions, and audiences—helping communities connect and grow through art.
Partners and Associates
For any questions, contact us via email and social media
info@lakescape.eu