The blended two months course explores sustainable Innovation in the framework of Sustainable Development Goals and creative problem solving, working in a multi-disciplinary, multicultural international groups.
Participants will have a unique opportunity to explore global calls for action in tackling some of the world’s big challenges and sustainable development goals. To apply design thinking in creative problem solving through tangible ‘trial and error’ design solutions. To create a focus on what really matters in contributing to a positive impact in the world
Over eight weeks, distinguished lecturers from different institutions globally, will tutor and coach students in an intensive blended practical skills program.
Participating students earn 5 ECTS credits. See Partner Schools for the current list of partner universities.
Course Structure
The Circular Innovation Bootcamp blends three phases:
- Preparatory phase (online, ~50h): understand the practical challenges, build teams, and learn the fundamentals of sustainability, circularity, business modelling and innovation. Teams deliver a first draft of their approach.
- Mobility phase (on-site on Tenerife, ~75h): field studies and expert interviews with partner companies, plus cultural visits to understand the local business environment. Teams pitch their improved ideas to challenge owners, practitioners and researchers.
- Documentation phase (online, ~25h): capture the gained insights and produce a common report.
Learning Targets
By the end of the course, participants are able to:
- Circularity: understand the concepts of sustainability (profit, people, planet) and circularity (e.g. the 9 R’s), and apply circularity to the analysis and formulation of a business idea.
- Innovation: understand the difference between ideation and innovation, generate a desirable, viable and feasible business model, and integrate feedback to improve it.
- Teamwork: work in an international team, online and on-site, and lead the team to deliverable results.
- Business practice: identify a client’s root problem, build reliable communication, and pitch a proposal.
Costs & Practical Information
- Funding: the full programme (online and on-site) runs as an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). Mobility funding may be available through your own university’s international/mobility office – conditions and amounts vary by institution and country, so please check directly with your own university.
- Travel & accommodation: flights and accommodation on Tenerife are booked individually by each participant, not organised centrally.
- Visa & entry requirements: non-EU participants are responsible for checking and meeting Spain’s visa requirements well ahead of the on-site week.
- ECTS credits: participants earn 5 ECTS credits upon successful completion; please confirm in advance with your own university that these will be recognised.
- Certificate: issued upon successful submission of the required coursework, stating the grade achieved.
Ready to apply? See the Partner Companies page for who you might work with, and submit the Declaration of Interest to andreas.mueller@hs-kempten.de.