PLAI Fellowship is a 9-month fellowship for young changemakers aged 14 to 21. Not a course. Not a competition. A space to think, build, and be held by 20 years of PLAI's community, network, and knowledge.
01. About the fellowship
What is SEMĂNAT??
PLAI has spent 20 years building something most organizations struggle to name: a community that shows up for itself, through music, through culture, through the stubborn belief that a city is only as alive as the people who care for it.
For our 20th year, we are doing what we've always done — making room. This time, for 5 young people who have an idea, a question, or a restless feeling that something in their community could be different.
SEMĂNAT is a 9-month fellowship for young changemakers aged 14 to 21. Not a course. Not a competition. A space to think, build, and be held by 20 years of PLAI's community, network, and knowledge.
You bring the idea. We bring the soil for growth.
You don't need to have all the answers. You need to care about the question.
What fellows receive
→ 9 months of structured mentorship with PLAI's network of artists, cultural organizers, and community builders
→ Monthly full-day gatherings at Centrul Cultural PLAI — workshops, peer sessions, open conversations
→ A seed grant of €1000 to test your community idea in the real world
→ Access to PLAI's spaces, events, partners — including JAZZx and the PLAI festival
→ Connection to PLAI's European network
→ A public showcase at PLAI 2027 — your work, presented to the community
→ A cohort of 4+ other people who give a damn
02. Programme design and format
Structure
◆ 5 fellows — one for each year of PLAI's existence
◆ Duration: 9 months, November 2026 — July 2027
◆ Language: Romanian-primary, English-welcoming
◆ Open nationally, with priority to Timișoara and the Banat region
◆ No academic or professional background required
Three Phases
| Phase | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| PHASE 1 — ROOT | Nov – Dec 2026 | Community building, understanding PLAI's model, mapping your idea, workshops on community design and care. |
| PHASE 2 — GROW | Jan – Mar 2027 | Mentorship-led project development, community testing, iteration, peer feedback sessions. |
| PHASE 3 — BLOOM | Apr – July 2027 | Scaling, communication, storytelling, preparing for public showcase at PLAI. |
Monthly Rhythm
— One full-day gathering per month at Centrul Cultural PLAI (Saturday)
— One 1:1 mentorship session per month (in-person or online)
— Peer check-in group (async, lightweight — not another meeting)
— One community interaction per month: attend a PLAI event, test something, talk to five people
03. Timeline of milestones
| When | Milestone | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | Launch announcement | Tied to JAZZx festival, Piața Libertății |
| Sep – Oct 2026 | Open applications | Online + open info sessions in Timișoara |
| End Oct 2026 | Selection & announcement | 5 fellows selected and publicly announced |
| Nov 2026 | Kickoff retreat | 2-day opening at Centrul Cultural PLAI |
| Nov – Dec 2026 | Phase 1 — Root | Workshops, mentorship begins, community mapping |
| Jan – Mar 2027 | Phase 2 — Grow | Project development, testing, iteration |
| Apr – June 2027 | Phase 3 — Bloom | Refinement, storytelling, showcase prep |
| July 2027 | Public Showcase | PLAI fellows present to the community |
Who can apply
✓ Age 14 to 21 at time of application
✓ Based in Romania (Timișoara and Banat region prioritized; open nationally)
✓ Has an idea, project, or question related to community, culture, or care — at any stage of development
✓ Available to commit fully to the 9-month program
✓ No CV, degree, or prior experience required
What to submit
We ask for three things. That's it.
1. Your idea (max 1500 words)
What do you want to change, build, or try in your community? It doesn't need to be fully formed. We're looking for a genuine impulse, not a polished proposal.
2. One artifact that shows how you see the world
A photo. A drawing. A voice note. A short video. A poem. A playlist. A text. Something you made or found that says something true about you — no format rules, no CV.
3. One reference from your community
Someone who knows your work or your character — a neighbor, a collaborator, a community organizer. Not a teacher, not a family member. Just someone who has seen you show up.
How we select
Applications are reviewed by a panel of PLAI team members and community partners.
We look for genuine care, a willingness to be changed by the process, and ideas that are rooted in real community need.
We actively seek diversity of background, discipline, geography, and experience.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a brief in-person or online conversation before final selection.
