Between 21 and 26 September 2025, a group of six students from the Faculty of Engineering and Technical Sciences at the University of Zielona Góra (UZ) — representing the fields of Environmental Engineering, Geoinformatics and Satellite Technologies, and Logistics — together with their coordinator, Dr. Eng. Jakub Kostecki from the Institute of Environmental Engineering, took part in the on-site phase of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) entitled “Sustainable & Eco-friendly Communities: A Blueprint for the Future.”
The programme was carried out in cooperation with Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM, Germany), LAB University of Applied Sciences (Finland), and the University of Zielona Góra, combining the characteristic BIP components of online classes (12–14 May 2025) and short-term on-site mobility (21–26 September 2025).
The University of Zielona Góra was invited to participate in the programme by THM within the “Cooperation of Universities in Central and Eastern Europe” (CUCEE) network (https://cucee.eu), with THM acting as the coordinator of the current edition. The next edition, in the 2025/2026 academic year, will be coordinated by the University of Zielona Góra, followed by LAB University of Applied Sciences in 2026/2027.
During the online phase, participants were introduced to the theoretical foundations of the project, attended thematic lectures, and completed individual assignments designed to prepare them for teamwork during the intensive week. Their task involved collecting examples of solutions and innovations from their home countries, as well as gathering preliminary data related to the location assigned to their project group.
During the on-site phase, hosted by the Faculty of Business Engineering (THM Friedberg Campus), students were divided into international teams according to thematic areas, including: Sustainable Logistics, Waste Management and Local Re-use, Zero-emission & Resilient Electricity, Modular and Sustainable Buildings (Scalability), and Good Living Environment Factors.
Within their teams, participants integrated the results of their individual work, analyzed local data, and evaluated potential solutions in terms of their advantages and limitations. The collaboration resulted in the development of preliminary thematic concepts and a final presentation delivered on the last day of the intensive week.
Throughout the project process, participants focused on achieving goals such as sustainability, resilience, modularity, local material reusability, solution scalability, and high-quality living environments. Key tools and strategies included digitalization (smart city concepts), design thinking, collaboration, innovation, and development.
In addition to project work, students participated in workshops, expert lectures, and study visits. They toured the Friedberg campus, met with the Mayor of Friedberg, Kjetil Dahlhaus, and explored the city’s history during a guided tour. As part of the supplementary programme, they also attended a guest lecture by Tapio Vehmas, CEO of Carbonaide, and visited the Rinn Beton- und Naturstein GmbH & Co. KG production facility in Heuchelheim.
The cooperation with THM and LAB University of Applied Sciences enabled the exchange of experiences, comparison of environmental solution implementation models, and the development of professional competences in an international context. The participation of UZ students in the programme serves as an example of effective internationalization of education, practical application of disciplinary knowledge, and the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda goals in the field of education and sustainable development.
