22–23 April 2026 – Usquare, Brussels
We are pleased to announce the first edition of the Creative & Scientific Festival “Transforming Public Action”, taking place on 22 and 23 April 2026 at Usquare (Brussels). The festival is now accepting content proposals from a wide range of practitioners and disciplines.
About the Festival
“Transforming Public Action” invites participants to explore and combine the many tools that can shape the future of public policy: citizen panels, deliberative processes, public policy evaluations, scientific research, artistic works, games, creative installations, and more.
Over two days, the festival will create a space to imagine, test, and experience new collaborative and creative practices capable of meaningfully renewing public action.
Whether you are part of a public administration, an elected representative, a journalist, an artist, a designer, a researcher, a member of civil society, or simply someone motivated to rethink how public policies are made, you are warmly invited to participate.
Call for Proposals
We welcome contributions in a broad variety of formats, including (but not limited to):
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project presentations
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games or artistic works
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research articles or scientific insights
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policy analyses or evaluations
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demonstrations of methods, tools, or organisational practices
Proposals can be submitted until 12 December via the link provided in the call or the links below.
The programme will be built based on the proposals received.
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Day 1 will focus on inspiration and experience-sharing.
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Day 2 will be dedicated to collective experimentation.
Why a Festival on Transforming Public Action?
Public institutions today face social, environmental, and technological challenges that are increasingly complex, unpredictable, and often difficult to grasp—whether pandemics, climate-driven disasters, the rise of artificial intelligence, growing digitalisation, or emerging forms of pollution.
To address these issues, public organisations rely on a diverse set of ideation tools:
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participatory and deliberative processes
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public policy analyses and evaluations
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scientific advisory groups
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public policy design approaches
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academic and participatory research
And yet, despite their value and creativity, these tools often struggle to produce lasting impact due to institutional inertia, risk aversion, siloed structures, political constraints, and fragmented competencies.
This festival asks a central question: How can we ensure that these ideation tools genuinely transform public action?
Together, we will explore processes, success stories, and ways to embed creative and collaborative methods directly into policymaking.
A Collective, Hands-On Experience
Over two days, participants will contribute to shaping an open space for dialogue, experimentation, and practical learning. All ideas, tools, approaches, and artistic or playful methods designed to foster meaningful transformation of public action are welcome.
Submit Your Proposal or Pre-Register
To submit your contribution or pre-register before 12 December, please use the link provided in the call.
For any questions, you may contact: Fanny Sbaraglia – fanny.sbaraglia@ulb.be
We look forward to welcoming you on 22–23 April 2026 at Usquare Brussels for this inaugural edition of the “Transforming Public Action” Festival.