REGISTRATION NOW OPEN  

Culture Matters Here. Cultivating Creative
Place-based Innovation in
Non-urban Communities

  11-13 May 2026  

  Valmiera, Latvia  

Registration is now open!
Head to the REGISTRATION FEES section to secure your spot.

The IN SITU Final Conference, “Culture Matters Here. Cultivating Creative Place-based Innovation in Non-urban Communities,” will take place in Valmiera, Latvia, from 11-13 May 2026. Organised within the project IN SITU – Place-based Innovation of Cultural and Creative Industries in Non-urban Areas, the conference will be a dynamic forum for exploring cutting-edge research and practices in place-based innovation and creativity of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in non-urban areas.

This conference is co-organised by the Latvian Academy of Culture and the Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra in cooperation with the European Network of Cultural Centres, Culture Action Europe and all the IN SITU project partners, and in conjunction with  our local associates, Valmiera County Municipality and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. The IN SITU project receives support from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme (Grant Agreement no. 101061747).

This event will be a catalyst for networking, exchange, and knowledge-building among participants, furthering understanding of the issues and opportunities for rural creative work, and contributing to a more supportive environment for cultural and creative actors in non-urban areas. We invite scholars, researchers, artists, cultural practitioners, activists, policymakers, and decision-makers from across the world and a wide variety of disciplines to submit proposals for presentations of papers and projects. We welcome participation by the large community of the European Rural Pact, including the Community Group on Culture and Creativity in Rural Areas.

All submissions should offer an original contribution to the vital topic of place-based innovation and the transformative power of the creative and cultural sector in forging more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities in rural and non-urban areas. We will also share key insights from our research, highlight project results, and look ahead to future plans. Additionally, the event will host the premiere of the IN SITU documentary, offering an inside look at our Labs and case studies.

Whether you are presenting or simply eager to take part, your presence is valued and welcome. Even if you don’t have a proposal to submit, we still encourage you to join us and attend sessions, network with peers, and learn from the diverse discussions. 

Registration opens on 19 January 2026 – save the date!

Conference themes

Strengthening cultural and creative practice and place-based innovation

For example:

  • Diverse types of place-based innovation in non-urban areas – how to understand and map them – and innovative practices of CCIs in remote areas
  • Cultural attachments to place and the significance of care for place and community as central to local sustainability
  • Enabling entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship and cultural cooperatives in non-urban areas
  • Developing partnerships and strengthening networking among cultural and creative actors
  • Addressing the unique challenges of non-urban communities through CCIs
  • CCIs as drivers of regional resilience and for mitigating left-behindness 
  • Urban-rural cultural and creative connections 

Fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and partnerships for local benefit

For example:

  • Cross-sectoral collaborations for non-urban cultural and creative work with education, health, well-being and social care
  • Culture and agriculture, exploring how culture and agriculture act as co-creators of sustainability, and how the intersections of art, food, and land shape non-urban contexts
  • Sustainable and regenerative tourism and cultural/creative work  
  • Creative approaches to locally embedded knowledge, heritage and local sustainability
  • Innovative public-civic partnerships for co-managing community resources

Advancing planning and policy frameworks for creative work in non-urban areas

For example:

  • Translating research findings into actionable policies and strategies
  • The roles of municipalities and CCIs in sustaining cultural heritage and innovating from it
  • Integrating CCIs into rural development policies, strategies, and support structures – from local to regional, national and European levels

conference Programme

More information will be available soon

Study visits

  1. Creative industries (Visit to future Valmiera Innovation Quarter) – Valmiera Innovation Agency, DARE makerspace, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences and Valmiera Integrated Library

At the same location as the conference venue

Valmiera’s creative industries are embedded in a compact applied innovation ecosystem linking entrepreneurship, education, prototyping and open access learning. The Valmiera Innovation Agency coordinates regional innovation and skills development, while DARE makerspace provides hands-on facilities for prototyping and co-creation. This ecosystem is strengthened by Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences through open innovation and collaboration with industry, and by the Valmiera Integrated Library, which acts as civic infrastructure for digital access, learning and experimentation. Together, these institutions show how creative industries collaborate in a non-urban setting.

  1. Contemporary art – Visit to Valmiera Theatre 

800 m from the conference venue (approx. 12 min walk)

Valmiera’s contemporary art scene extends beyond institutional stages, showing how non-urban communities can develop ambitious cultural infrastructure and experimental formats. Valmiera Theatre and the Valmiera Theatre Summer Festival  play a central role in shaping contemporary performing arts with strong national visibility and local engagement. Alongside this, the city invests in participatory, design-led public space initiatives such as large scale exhibitions in the public space or interactive installation-playground for children «Playground Stage», which reframes play as cultural expression and invites families into shared storytelling. Together with initiatives such as the contemporary art space KURTUVE, these efforts reflect a coherent cultural development rooted in the legacy of the European Capital of Culture bid.

  1. Cultural heritage and innovation – Visit to Valmiera museum

1.2 km from the conference venue (approx. 16 min walk)

Valmiera Museum is a strong example of how cultural heritage can be positioned as a living resource for place-based innovation, not only preserved as a collection. Through contemporary interpretation, community storytelling and education-focused formats, the museum connects medieval and industrial layers of the city with present-day questions of identity, resilience and regional development. Approach that heritage functions as a shared platform for learning, civic participation and cultural tourism, showing how local history can be translated into meaningful experiences and future-oriented narratives.

  1. Culture in rural territories – Visit to Valmiermuiža 

Approximately 5 km from Valmiera centre (transport by bus will be provided)

Valmiermuiža – historical manor site – is a strong example of how culture in rural territories can become an engine for renewal by linking heritage, local production and contemporary cultural programming. Rather than treating rural heritage as a backdrop, Valmiermuiža functions as an active cultural landscape where craft, events, entrepreneurship and community encounters reinforce one another. This approach shows how rural places can sustain identity while creating new values and reasons to gather, visit and stay, making culture a practical tool for resilience, belonging and long-term regional attractiveness.

Submitting proposals

We invite proposals for presentations of papers and projects from a diverse range of individuals, including scholars, researchers, artists, cultural practitioners, activists, policymakers and decision-makers from across the world and a broad range of disciplines.

The conference invites innovative and sustainable examples from across Europe and worldwide. A special geographical focus will be placed on innovative and sustainable cultural and creative practices in remote areas and peripheral corners of Europe.

All proposals are expected to make an original contribution to the topic of place-based innovation of cultural and creative actors in non-urban areas, and demonstrate the transformative power of the creative and cultural sector in forging more equitable and sustainable communities in rural and non-urban areas.

Submission guidelines

We accept proposals for both individual and collective presentations. Proposals must be in English and submitted exclusively through our e-form, available via this link. [Abstract submission closed]

Each proposal must include the following:

  1. Title
  2. Author(s)
  3. Email for the corresponding author
  4. Organisational affiliation(s) of author(s)
  5. Country(ies) of organisation
  6. Theme addressed by paper or project
  7. Abstract of paper or project (300 words maximum)
  8. Keywords (4 max.)
  9. Author(s) short biography (100 words per author, 300 words maximum)
  10. Audiovisual equipment required

Please note that each author may submit only one proposal as the main author. 

The deadline for submitting proposals is 15 December 2025 at 23h59 CET [new deadline].

Early applications are strongly encouraged, as proposals will be evaluated on an ongoing basis. Please be aware that proposals submitted via email or after the stated deadline cannot be considered.

additional information

Open to all

The Conference welcomes presenters and non-presenters from all backgrounds. If you don’t have a proposal to submit and present, we welcome you to attend sessions, network, and learn. Registration opens on 19 January 2026.

Assessment of proposals

All proposals will be reviewed by at least two members of the Scientific Committee.

The assessment of proposals is based on the following criteria:

  • Relevance to the Conference’s theme;
  • Relevance to rural and non-urban areas;
  • Innovative and sustainable examples of practices (for projects);
  • Quality of approach, argumentation, and methodological and conceptual frameworks (for papers).

The acceptance of papers and projects will be subject to available presentation spaces.

Presentation guidelines

All verbal presentations of accepted papers and projects must be in English. Each presentationwill be allocated 10-15 minutes, followed by additional time for questions and discussion. Please indicate any audiovisual equipment you will need for your presentation within the proposal e-form when you submit your application.

Full paper publication opportunities

We are exploring options for publication of selected papers and project profiles following the conference, including Cultural Crossroads journal among other outlets. More information will be provided via the conference page of the IN SITU website and by email to all registered participants.

Important dates

Deadline for submission of proposals8 December 2025
15 December 2025
Notification of proposal acceptanceBy 16 January 2026
Early bird registration period19 January – 12 March 2026
Regular registration period13 March – 13 April 2026
Conference – live in Valmiera!11 – 13 May 2026

REgistration fees

 Students *Other participants
Early bird fees
(19 January – 12 March)		190 Euro / per person250 Euro / per person
Regular fees
(13 March – 13 April)		220 Euro / per person280 Euro / per person

These fees cover the costs for participants at the conference, consisting of 2 dinners (welcome and farewell), 3 lunches, 6 coffee breaks , conference materials, and transfer for study visit.

* For student fees, documentation of these is required. During registration, please upload a copy of your student card in the registration form.

Conference cancellation policy
If you should have to cancel your registration, notification in writing should be sent to in-situ-conference@ces.uc.pt. Please make sure you state the name of the conference in the subject line of your email.

  • A refund of 75% of the full amount paid will be given for cancellations received until 12 March 2026.
  • A refund of 40% of the full amount paid will be given for cancellations received between 13 March and 13 April 2026.
  • No refund will be issued for cancellations received after 14 April 2026 nor failure to attend.

REGISTER NOW*

 

*This conference is open to all: we welcome presenters and non-presenters from all backgrounds. If you don’t have a proposal to submit and present, we welcome you to attend sessions, network, and learn.

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS

Travelling to Valmiera

Valmiera, a charming town in northern Latvia, is located approximately 120 km from Riga International Airport (RIX). There are several convenient ways to travel from the airport to Valmiera.

  • Getting from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Central Bus Station

Take bus No. 22 from the airport (stop located ~300m from Arrivals Hall E and C) to Autoosta (Central Bus Station).
Duration: ~27 min
Ticket: €1.81 (from driver, card only) or €1.50 (from ticket machine or Narvesen at the airport)
Schedule: Every 10–20 minutes from 05:25 to 00:40
More information: https://saraksti.lv/#bus/22/a-b/7749c/en

  • By Car

Driving time: ~1h 45min
Route: E77 → E264
Distance: ~117 km
Car rental: Available directly at Riga Airport on the 1st floor of the terminal, in Arrivals Hall E. Major providers include AVIS, Budget, EasyCars, Enterprise, SIXT and others.
Info & booking: https://www.riga-airport.com/en/car-rental

  • By Bus

Duration: ~2h 5min
Departure: Riga Central Bus Station (Rīgas SAO)
Arrival: Valmiera Bus Station
Frequency: Every 30 minutes
Tickets: ~€5–€8
Schedule: Every 1 to 1.5 hours
Info & booking: https://www.1188.lv/en/transport/buses/rigas-sao/valmieras-ao/105317/105331

  • By Train

Duration: ~1h 50min
Operator: Vivi
Departure: Riga Central Station
Arrival: Valmiera Train Station
Tickets: ~€5–€8
Schedule: Approximately five times per day
Info & booking: https://www.vivi.lv/en/routes/list

  • Public Transport in Valmiera


City buses connect various neighborhoods with the city center. Main transit stops in the center: “Centrs” (K. Baumaņa Street) and “Kino” (Rīgas Street).
Explore Valmiera’s public transport routes, bus stops, and key city locations using this interactive map (Latvian only)

  • Bolt Services in Valmiera


Valmiera offers several Bolt mobility solutions for convenient travel around the city:
       Ride-hailing for quick and easy city travel
       Electric scooters available in various locations
       Bolt Drive car-sharing service
You can access all services through the Bolt app, available on Google Play and App Store.
More info: https://bolt.eu/sw-tz/cities/valmiera/

Accommodation

To support participants attending the IN SITU Conference in Valmiera, seven accommodations in the city and nearby area have been pre-reserved for the Conference period:

(Note: Dikļi Palace (Dikļu pils) is not located within Valmiera city. If you choose to stay there, please be aware that additional transportation arrangements will be necessary to travel to and from the Conference venue in Valmiera.)

These accommodations have been informed about the Conference. Participants are responsible for making their own reservations directly with the hotels by February 20, 2026.

When contacting the accommodation, please use the code: “IN SITU conference” to identify yourself as a participant.

Most accommodations offer double or multi-bed rooms, so we recommend booking in groups to optimise space and cost. Early booking is strongly encouraged.

For additional accommodation options in the Valmiera region (including guest houses and holiday homes), please visit: https://visit.valmiera.lv/en/accommodation/

(Note: others may be listed on Booking.com)

Information about Valmiera: https://visit.valmiera.lv/en/ 

Organising and
scientific committees

Organising
Committee
Members

Daiga Bokuma, Latvian Academy of Culture, Latvia 

Ieva Zemite, Latvian Academy of Culture, Latvia 

Ilona Asare, Latvian Academy of Culture, Latvia 

Laura Brutane, Latvian Academy of Culture, Latvia 

Maria Batle, Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Portugal 

Nancy Duxbury, Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Portugal 

Paola Di Nunzio, Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Portugal 

Sílvia Silva, Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Portugal 

Michaela Charisi, European Network of Cultural Centres, Belgium 

Natalie Giorgadze, Culture Action Europe, Belgium

Scientific
Committee
Members

Bergsveinn Þórsson, Bifröst University, Iceland 

Einar Hreinsson, Bifröst University, Iceland 

Hugo Pinto,  Faculty of Economics, University of Algarve & Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Portugal 

Nancy Duxbury, Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Portugal 

Sílvia Ferreira, Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Portugal  

Piotr Michalowski, European Network of Cultural Centres, Belgium 

Sara Turra, European Network of Cultural Centres, Belgium

Andrè Torre, INRAE – Agroparistech, France 

Maryline Filippi, INRAE – Agroparistech, France 

Antonija Letinić, Kultura Nova Foundation, Croatia 

Tamara Zamelli, Kultura Nova Foundation, Croatia 

Ilona Kunda, Latvian Academy of Culture, Latvia 

Josune Prieto, Mondragon Innovation & Knowledge, Mondragon University, Spain 

Lidia Varbanova, National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts “Kr. Sarafov”, Bulgaria 

Nevena Dobreva, National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts “Kr. Sarafov”, Bulgaria 

Daniela Soares, University of the Azores, Portugal

Isabel Albergaria, University of the Azores, Portugal 

Maria Leonor Sampaio, University of the Azores, Portugal 

Pilar Damião de Medeiros, University of the Azores, Portugal 

Mark Justin Rainey, University of Galway, Ireland 

Helena Walther, University of Hildesheim, Germany 

Julius Heinicke, University of Hildesheim, Germany 

Katriina Siivonen, University of Turku, Finland 

Oleksandra Nenko, University of Turku, Finland 

Carolina Castaldi, Utrecht University, Netherlands

Nicola Cortinovis, Utrecht University, Netherlands 

Andris Klepers, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Latvia 

Contact

Any questions about proposal submissions and/or the conference should be e-mailed to in-situ-conference@ces.uc.pt.

File uploaded!