From 7 to 11 July 2025, the University of Algarve (UAlg) hosted the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “Sustainability and Social Innovation on the Move”, welcoming 15 students from the Universities of Split (Croatia) Kiel (Germany), Malta (Malta), Gdańsk (Poland) and Naples Parthenope (Italy).
Organised in collaboration with the Universities of Gdańsk (UG) and Naples Parthenope (UPN), the initiative promoted critical thinking and hands-on learning around sustainability in coastal and island contexts.
The BIP combined virtual sessions (on 3 and 5 June) with a week of in-person activities on Culatra Island, in the heart of the Ria Formosa Natural Park (Algarve, Portugal). Over five days, participants engaged in interactive lectures, field visits and practical workshops that addressed topics such as smart energy grids, circular water use, sustainable food production, eco-tourism, and community development.
Led by academic teams from UAlg, UG, and UPN, the programme encouraged a systems-thinking approach to sustainability, closely aligned with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Culatra Island itself served as a real-world learning environment, particularly through the Culatra 2030 Initiative—a pioneering project aiming to create a sustainable energy community.
From underwater acoustics and solar cooking to creative design projects using sustainability concepts, students explored the intersection between science, innovation, and community engagement.
This BIP reaffirmed the University of Algarve’s leading role in the SEA-EU Alliance, highlighting its commitment to transformative, place-based education and to shaping a new generation of changemakers in sustainability.
