Rodzaj oferty: For students

Sustainability today is more than a catchy slogan – it is about concrete decisions, processes and competencies that universities need here and now. In the second half of February, the nine-module online course “Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders” will be launched on the Metacampus platform. The programme shows how to translate climate goals into real action and effective leadership. It was developed through the collaboration of experts from Wrocław Tech, Politecnico di Torino, UPC and TU Graz, and is addressed to students and staff members who want to actively shape the transformation of their institutions.

– Transition towards sustainability at universities is a challenging process. It requires competences to make conscious decisions, the courage to change, and people who can connect strategy with everyday practice. This course was created precisely to support future leaders in implementing real change – explains prof. Magdalena Bamborska-Narożny, leader of Community 8, which developed the programme.

The course takes the form of a coherent, nine-module learning pathway and guides participants through the key areas of sustainability in higher education – from basic concepts and the role of universities in achieving global sustainability goals, through strategy and governance, to very practical issues related to energy, campus infrastructure, environmental data reporting and communicating results to decision-makers.

A strong emphasis is placed on practice. Participants will work with real-life examples from Unite! alliance universities, learning how to use tools for monitoring and analysing environmental data, exploring eco-design solutions, and analysing green business models and ways of engaging the academic community in change processes. The programme also covers topics related to sustainable mobility, the organisation of academic events and reducing the carbon footprint of business travel.

An important element of the course is its forward-looking perspective. A module dedicated to lifelong learning highlights how to develop green skills in the long term and the role micro-credentials can play in this process. In turn, classes on sustainable energy management help participants better understand decision-making processes related to energy projects, even for those without a specialised technical background.

“Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders” is a proposal for those who want to consciously and responsibly co-create the future of higher education. The course will start on 16 February and will be delivered entirely online.

Detailed information about the course and registration is available on the Metacampus platform. The programme is delivered fully online and has a modular structure, allowing participants to flexibly combine learning with their daily professional responsibilities. To complete the “Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders”, participants must complete at least five course modules, covering both strategic issues and practical tools supporting the implementation of sustainability at universities.

Summary:

What: “Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders”

With the following modules:

• Introduction to Sustainability in Higher Education
• Institutional Sustainability Strategy & Governance
• Energy Efficiency and Green Campus Operations
• Sustainability Monitoring, Reporting & Communication
• Integration of Sustainability in Product Design
• Change Management and Community Engagement: Green Business Models
• Change Management and Community Engagement: Sustainable Mobility and Travel
• Lifelong Learning on Sustainability
• Sustainable Energy Management

Dates: 16.02.2026–26.03.2026

Format: online classes plus individual work

Participants: students and staff members

Registration via Metacampus

Completion requirements: completion of a minimum of five modules.

A good idea is only the beginning. How can it be turned into an international project with real funding and partners from leading European universities?

We will look for answers to these questions at the workshop “Unite! Seed Fund – from an Idea to an International Project”, taking place on 23 January at Wrocław University of Science and Technology. The event is open to students, academic teachers, and researchers who plan to apply for a grant in the upcoming call. The application period opens on 20 January and runs until 20 March.

Unite! Seed Fund is one of the most accessible support instruments within the European University Alliance Unite!. Minimal formal requirements, a fast decision-making process, and a strong focus on innovation are its key features. During the meeting at WUST, participants will learn how to use this potential in practice—from the first idea, through team building, to drafting a proposal ready for further consultation.

The event will be opened by Prof. Renata Krzyżyńska, Vice-Rector for External Relations. The first part of the meeting will provide an introduction to the Seed Fund programme—its objectives, scope of support, and examples of projects already implemented within Unite!. This will be followed by a short Q&A session and networking over coffee.

The main part of the event will consist of parallel workshops tailored to three target groups. Students will focus on developing innovative, interdisciplinary initiatives—from technological projects and hackathons to social actions. Researchers will learn how to use the Seed Fund as a rapid proof of concept ahead of applying for a larger grant. Academic teachers will take part in the track “Educational Innovations with Unite! – from Idea to Implementation”, designed for those considering new courses, modules, COIL projects, micro-credentials, or summer schools delivered in international cooperation.

Unite! Seed Fund – from an Idea to an International Project

Workshops for students, researchers, and academic teachers

Date: 23 January 2026
Venue: Building D-20, 10:00–13:00
Registration: via online form

Programme:

10:00–10:30 Opening: What is the Unite! Seed Fund?
Prof. Renata Krzyżyńska, Vice-Rector for External Relations
– current programme objectives
– scope of support and types of funded projects
– examples of completed projects
– Q&A session (brief, general)

10:30–11:00 Networking and coffee break

11:00–13:00 Parallel workshops for students, academic teachers, and researchers

A new Unite! Seed Fund funding call will open on 20 January 2026. The call provides financial support for collaborations between Unite! partner universities, helping to initiate projects and place new or emerging collaborations on a strong and sustainable footing, with applications due by 20 March 2026.

Student activities

• Objective: Start long-term collaborations between student associations and other student-centred organisations across the Unite! universities.

• Available budget: Up to €20,000 per project, involving at least 2 Unite! universities.

• How to find partners? Virtual matchmaking in early February 2026 (details will be included in the call document).

• What is new? Only student associations and other student-centred organisations at the Unite! universities will be eligible to apply. Applications from individual students will not be accepted.

• Deadline: The deadline for contacting the Unite! Student Liaison Officer at each participating university is 5 March 2026.

The deadline for submitting the full application is 20 March 2026.

Teaching & Learning

• Objective: Support the creation of joint/collaborative educational offers with ECTS, with the potential for being scaled up into Joint Programmes. Applications must involve at least 3 Unite! universities and address at least one of the Unite! focus areas: Sustainable Energy; Artificial Intelligence; Industry 4.0; Entrepreneurship; Engineering Biology (and Biotechnology); Space; Cybersecurity; and Sustainable Cities & Water.

• Available budget: Between €10,000 and €80,000 per project, depending on the project goals and the number of Unite! partners involved.

• How to find partners? Virtual matchmaking in early February 2026 (details will be included in the call document).

• What is new? Applications aiming at the creation of joint teaching offers must include letters of commitment from all departments/schools involved, confirming that the project outcomes are to be devised as long-term educational offers fully integrated in local curricula.

• Deadline: The deadline for submitting the full application is 20 March 2026.

Research & PhD

• Objective: Start new research collaborations and/or PhD offers between at least 3 Unite! universities and support joint applications for larger third-party funding. Applications must address at least one of the Unite! focus areas: Sustainable Energy; Artificial Intelligence; Industry 4.0; Entrepreneurship; Engineering Biology (and Biotechnology); Space; Cybersecurity; and Sustainable Cities & Water.

• Available budget: Between €10,000 and €80,000 per project, depending on the project goals and the number of Unite! partners involved.

• How to find partners? Virtual matchmaking in early February 2026 (details will be included in the call document).

• What is new? For the programme option “Exploring” (with a budget of €10,000 per project), applications from Early Career Researchers will be preferred.

• Deadline: The deadline for submitting the full application is 20 March 2026.