Europe’s largest climate action innovation summer school, the Journey, kicks-off for 2016

More than 220 students from  over 45 countries, representing 50 disciplines, will embark on Europe’s largest climate change education programme – the Climate-KIC summer school.

The five week-long course will offer a unique combination of academic study and real-world business experience with the aim of creating the climate change leaders of tomorrow. For first time this year a shorter three-week edition of the Journey has been introduced, which will culminate in an international final in Bologna, Italy. 

Encompassing 13 locations across Europe, this year’s programme is Climate-KIC’s largest summer school to date and is divided into six separate groups. Students from each group will journey across two to three different European locations, gaining insight and experience from a selection of Europe’s best universities and most innovative businesses. It brings together students and young professionals all over the world. 

The programme culminates in a challenge where students pitch their ideas for solutions to real-world climate related issues. Based on their own creativity and climate change knowledge, students must present a detailed business plan to a judging panel consisting of venture capitalists, start-up entrepreneurs and scientists.

Journey 2015 student, Laura Vicini commented, “I think that I have overcome a lot of challenges: from the language to the business’s field. I learnt a lot: from lectures, from the group and about myself. I feel different: I changed my perspective about the future, what to plan and I feel more confident to face problems.” The majority of the students from the 2015 summer school said the programme improved their understanding of the business opportunities resulting from the climate change challenge.

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Last year’s summer school student Christina Skjolding Hjelm shares her experience, “We are offered so many opportunities by being part of the Climate-KIC network and it is a very stimulating environment. The Journey is a unique experience and setting and I can’t help feel overwhelmed. We have diverse group both in terms of age, gender, and geographical and academic background. I enjoyed the mix of activities, because we do not only have lectures about climate change and innovation but also coaching, so the five weeks were also a personal journey.”

Throughout the summer school students will be given a thorough analysis of the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change through academic lessons and practical business and entrepreneurship tasks.

Over the next few weeks, you can find out more about Climate-KIC’s approach and follow the students on the Journey 2016!