This Youth Month, South Africa’s AURI Foundation and Norway’s Kulturkontoret proudly announce the launch of NORSAK — the first-ever SA-NOR festival exchange programme focused on music festivals, sound engineering, and youth development.
The initiative connects young creatives and event professionals from South Africa and Norway, offering hands-on experience in festival production, sound engineering, and event organising. More importantly, the programme aims to create opportunities for young people, especially women and those from disadvantaged communities, to access international learning, professional networks, and cultural exchange.
The first exchange takes place in July 2026, with AURI Foundation sending two fellows from Alexandra township, Thato and Itumeleng, to Norway for a four-week immersive experience. The pair will work across two major music festivals in western Norway — Tysnesfest and Utkant Festival — learning every stage of festival production, from setup to breakdown.
Hosted by Kulturkontoret, the programme includes structured mentorship, accommodation, transport, and full on-ground support throughout the exchange.
Both fellows will document their journey live on social media, sharing their first international travel experience, behind-the-scenes festival work, and personal growth along the way. Through NORSAK, AURI Foundation hopes to inspire more young people by showing how creative industries, skills development, and international collaboration can open real pathways out of the township.
Based in Newtown, Johannesburg, AURI Foundation NPC is a newly launched non-profit dedicated to empowering young people within the music and entertainment industry. The organisation focuses on training sound technicians and event organisers, supporting emerging musicians through fellowships, and creating collaborative creative spaces.