From 13 to 17 July, the University of Algarve hosted the third edition of the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “Sustainability and Social Innovation on the Move”, welcoming 17 students from six SEA-EU partner universities: the University of Split (Croatia), the University of Naples Parthenope (Italy), Nord University (Norway), Kiel University (Germany), the University of Cádiz (Spain) and the University of Brest (France).
Organised by the University of Algarve in collaboration with the University of Naples Parthenope and the University of Cádiz, the programme explored sustainability challenges in coastal territories through an interdisciplinary approach combining environmental, social and economic perspectives.
Following two online sessions held in June, participants gathered on Culatra Island (Faro, Portugal) for a week of lectures, fieldwork and hands-on activities, engaging directly with local communities, researchers and stakeholders.
The opening session featured Patrícia Pinto, Vice-Rector for Partnerships and the European University (SEA-EU), and Vânia Sousa, Pro-Rector for Sustainability Sciences, who welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of European cooperation in addressing sustainability challenges. Students also learned about the island’s realities through presentations by Sílvia Padinha, from the Culatra Island Residents’ Association (AMIC), and André Pacheco (CIMA), who introduced the Culatra 2030 – Sustainable Energy Community initiative.
Throughout the week, participants explored topics including water circularity, solar desalination, smart grids, sustainable tourism, marine protected areas, underwater acoustics, community empowerment, sustainable food production, solar cooking and sustainable sea-inspired design. The programme combined academic sessions with field experiences, allowing students to connect theory with real-life challenges while working alongside academics, researchers and local experts.
The final day also welcomed a delegation from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (USA), one of SEA-EU’s external partner universities. Comprising two lecturers and six students, the delegation joined the BIP activities as part of a parallel programme organised by the University of Algarve in partnership with the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD). Their presence enriched the programme by fostering intercultural dialogue and strengthening the international dimension of the initiative through the exchange of ideas and experiences between participants from different academic and cultural backgrounds.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the programme provided students with an international and practice-oriented learning experience, fostering collaboration, critical thinking and innovative approaches to the sustainable development of coastal communities.
The third edition concluded with a farewell gathering on Culatra Island, celebrating a week of shared learning, international cooperation and new connections across the SEA-EU Alliance.
