Ursus Breweries to endorse #TheAlternativeSchool & Young Lions Design

For all talents under 30 aspiring to global achievements and a unique “study-compete-network” experience at Cannes Lions, #TheAlternativeSchool, together with Ursus Breweries, the supporter of the Young Lions Design 2026 competition, announces the #RGB scholarship brief, focusing on design & PR as tools for community support.

The value of local specialization and the week-long festival on the French Riviera for those qualifying for Young Lions Design exceeds 6.000 Euros, offering an immersive experience at the global festival where the full spectrum of creativity unfolds. Previous generations who have tasted  this cosmopolitan evolution story over the past 20 years would label it as priceless. 

By solving the brief & ranking in the top, 20 super-talented communicators (10 teams) can access the cMBA specializations at #TheAlternativeSchool – The Module held between 5.11 - 8.12 and associated competitions, with the prize being a week at Cannes Lions 2026, with  accommodation & taxes covered.

Applications for the scholarship can be submitted in teams or individually. (If we receive an exceptional solution to the brief and it is done by just one individual instead of two, we will pair him / her with another solo-competitor enrolled at the #FutureProofCreativity Module and the creator will receive full scholarship)

What about the Recycling Glass Bottle (RGB) brief ?

The applicants need to propose a promo campaign with prizes that motivates both consumers and shop owners to use and return the 0.5L RGB bottle (returnable glass bottle), while improving the experience and their lives in the process. Design, social media & PR are the disciplines supporting the Promo campaign.

Find the full brief here, with a deadline of 27 October, 10 AM.

The 3 visual solutions, a 2-page PDF, and an A3 board should be sent via a Google Drive link to Andra Serea, Communication Architect (andra@thealternativeschool.com), who will also answer any complementary questions.

“After a first effervescent experience at the 2025 edition, when we had the chance to see how ambitious Gen Z approaches applied creativity on real briefs, we are strengthening our collaboration with #TheAlternativeSchool for their 21st edition: a new brief with a social mission, integrated into a promotion that encourages sustainable recycling; the support of the #FutureProofCreativity module, featuring Romanian and international speakers addressing the complex facets of our industry, thus shaping a new generation of communicators naturally navigating the VUCA World we live in; and a new Young Lions team ready to represent Romania at Cannes Lions 2026, in the Design category. A lot to look forward to”, said Gabriela Cretu, VP Sales at Ursus Breweries.

“In times that are tough for everyone - entrepreneurs, professionals at all levels, and students alike - it is an absolute privilege, alongside visionary partners, to offer so many opportunities for accelerated growth. We are connecting talents from across Romania with some of the best trainers - both local and international - helping them gain both a detailed and a “zoom out” perspective on the dynamics of our industry. We are incredibly grateful to be able to keep our international talent program alive and thriving for the 21st year in a row,” said Teodora Migdalovici, founder of #TheAlternativeSchool.

#FutureProofCreativity Program Highlights

• One live event on November 5th, exploring Kindful Brands & global trends, in partnership with Invizibilii.ro

• Zoom sessions twice a week (Mon & Thu, 7–9 PM, Zoom), with 3-4 trainers per meeting.

• Topics:  “How to build a relevant board”, Branding Today & Creativity vs AI Tools Culture as Inspiration, Design Thinking & Design feeling, Hybrid Disciplines, HR for exceptional talents, The Power of Insight, Research, Visual Languages, from illustration to animation and video.

• Trainers: highly awarded professionals from Romania & abroad, former international Jurors  (Austria, Croatia, France, Denmark, Italy, Malta, Nederland, Portugal, Pakistan, UAE, USA, Spain)

  
  

Young Lions - 3 access formats

There are three ways a team of talented creatives can join Young Lions:

1. Direct entry

No school involvement. Pay the €500 team enrollment fee, get all the details and submit your solutions for the 3 briefs at andra@thealternativeschool.com:

• 2 briefs to be solved within one month in nov-dec

• 1 brief to be solved in 24 hours, in late nov, just like at the YL Design competition, at the Lions

2. Scholarship path

Solve the RGB scholarship brief. If you win, you’ll receive fully covered access to the #FutureProofCreativity Module (training + guidance) and automatic entry to the 3 competition briefs. Winning teams will go on to represent the industry at Cannes 2026, empowered by Ursus.

3. Full package

Pay the €1000 fee for both the school and access to the competition. (No need to enter the scholarship brief.)

If under 25, there are more scholarship solutions available, empowered by Invizibilii.ro, aiming as a final destination for other Lions experiences. Explore more here. 

To keep up with the latest news, check the News section at www.thealternativeschool.com and

follow #TheAlternativeSchool cMBA on social media. There’s actually a lot to learn from it - check out our “Creative Ambassador” series on how to create a video CV in just 2 minutes, under the headline ‘My Life Is a Movie. Here’s the Headline’.

To be continued