ChallengeEU 1st Annual Conference Through the Lens: Photo Gallery
The 1st ChallengeEU Annual Conference in Olsztyn (May 6-7) was not only an opportunity for representatives of nine European universities to meet, but also an important moment to reflect on the journey so far, build relationships and define the next directions for cooperation. The event showed that the strength of the alliance lies in people, regions and concrete actions that can have a real impact on the future of higher education in Europe. For two days, the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn became a space for discussions on cross-border cooperation, the responsibility of universities for regional development, and the challenges related to the green, digital and social transitions. The conference brought together representatives of academia, students, regional partners and stakeholders from different parts of Europe, creating a space for dialogue, exchange of experience and the search for shared solutions. However, the significance of the event went beyond the conference programme itself. Its impact lay in strengthening ties between the alliance partners, increasing the visibility of ChallengeEU in the region, and demonstrating that cooperation between European universities can bring tangible benefits to academic and local communities. The meetings, discussions and joint initiatives became an impulse for further actions to be developed within the alliance — from education and research to social engagement and cooperation with the socio-economic environment. We invite you to view the photo gallery, which offers a chance to revisit the atmosphere of the conference, its key meetings and the moments that helped build the ChallengeEU community. Opening Ceremony, Plenary Sessions and Closing Conference (photo by Janusz Pająk/UWM) Working Meetings (photo by Janusz Pająk/UWM) Conversations and integration (photo by Janusz Pająk/UWM, Michał Orłowski) Through the lens of the UWM Student Photo Agency (Studencka Agencja Fotograficzna “Jamnik”)
Science for the Social Environment: UWM Co-organises the Day of Dignity of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
On 5 May 2026, the Ostróda District Multimedia Library “Przystań z Kulturą”, located at the Public Utility Centre in Ostróda, became a space for dialogue, inclusion and mutual learning. On that day, the event “Science for the Social Environment” took place as part of the ChallengeEU Alliance and was organised as a Public Engagement Activity. The meeting served as a prelude to the ChallengeEU 1st Annual Conference. The date was no coincidence. In Poland, 5 May marks the Day of Dignity of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. The event in Ostróda therefore formed part of an important social context, highlighting the importance of respect, agency and the active participation of persons with intellectual disabilities in social, cultural and academic life. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn: Katarzyna Ćwirynkało, PhD, Associate Professor at UWM, Agnieszka Żyta, PhD, Professor of UWM; and Monika Chełchowska, MA. The event also brought together members of the local support community, including employees and instructors from the Vocational Activity Establishment, participants and therapists from Occupational Therapy Workshops, parents and other people supporting persons with intellectual disabilities. The main focus of the discussion was cooperation between the university and the local community, as well as ways of building a positive image of persons with intellectual disabilities. Particular attention was given to inclusive research, in which persons with intellectual disabilities are not merely research participants, but co-create the research process as partners. The meeting also provided an opportunity to present the assumptions of the OPUS-26 project funded by the National Science Centre, entitled “Inclusive Research with Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. A Methodological and Analytical Model”. The project is being carried out by Prof. Katarzyna Ćwirynkało and Prof. Agnieszka Żyta. Its aim is to develop methodological and analytical foundations for research conducted together with persons with intellectual disabilities. The event was accompanied by an exhibition of works by co-researchers. The posters on display, designed by Michał Orłowski from UWM, were the result of the research project “Beauty in Our Eyes”, carried out using the photovoice method. In the project, academic researchers and researchers with intellectual disabilities worked together as equal partners, presenting their own perspectives on beauty, everyday life and the world around them. “Science for the Social Environment” demonstrated that academic activity can and should extend beyond the walls of the university. As a Public Engagement Activity, the event in Ostróda served as an example of how a university can cooperate with the local community, share knowledge and, at the same time, learn from people whose experience brings a unique perspective to research. Through dialogue, art and a shared search for solutions, the meeting showed that inclusive research is not only possible, but also necessary. It strengthens the voice of persons with intellectual disabilities, builds relationships based on respect and contributes to creating a more open, attentive and inclusive society.
Bridging Regions – Connecting Universities: ChallengeEU meets at University of Warmia and Mazury
For two days, the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn became the beating heart of the ChallengeEU Alliance. Created within the framework of the European Universities initiative, ChallengeEU brings together nine institutions from different parts of Europe under a shared banner. Together, they are working on solutions that will support not only their own development, but also the future of European higher education and the regions in which they operate. On 6–7 May, UWM hosted the ChallengeEU 1st Annual Conference. The ChallengeEU Alliance’s journey began several years ago. It brings together Hochschule Offenburg, South East European University, ECAM LaSalle, Mid Sweden University, Universidade Europeia, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Universidad Europea de Valencia, Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW) and the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. All these universities took on a shared challenge — quite literally — to create an alliance aligned with the idea of European Universities. Achieving this goal meant meeting not only formal requirements. All the work invested in agreeing on a common plan, developing a strategy and addressing many other issues was rewarded with approval to establish the Alliance, which began its activities in 2025. “Faced with a challenge, we basically have two choices: approach or avoid. The fact that we’re all here today shows clearly that not only have we approached our Challenge, but we have also managed it quite well (…). But our Challenge doesn’t stop here; and this ChallengeEU First Annual Conference is not a grand finale; it’s a stepping stone because there’s still work to be done, there are still challenges ahead. We’ll be spending these two days exchanging ideas on how to implement our strategies not only in the world of academia, but also in the communities around us, bridging the gap between regions in the same way as we have bridged the gap between our universities”, reminded Dr Czesław Kiński, the conference host. He added: “Over these two days, we will exchange ideas on how to implement our strategies not only in the academic world, but also in the communities around us, bridging differences between regions in the same way as we bridge differences between our universities.” “Five kilometres from this room, in a red-brick castle on a hill, a young canon once spent his evenings looking at the stars. His name was Nicolaus Copernicus. He lived here, in Warmia, for over forty years. He was not yet famous. He worked, as we might say in the language of today’s funding bodies, ‘based at a regional institution’. And from that so-called regional institution, he moved to the centre of the universe,” said Prof. Jerzy Przyborowski, Rector of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, during the opening of the conference. He stressed that, in his view, the famous Polish astronomer would have understood the idea behind the ChallengeEU Alliance. “Copernicus understood that ‘the centre’ is not a place. It is a question. And whoever is brave enough to ask better questions becomes, for that moment, the centre of the world.. In this hall today, I see representatives of nine universities who have decided to ask better questions. Questions about how regions and universities can support each other. About how the green transition can also be a just transition. About how challenge-based learning can replace lecture-based forgetting. About what European belonging means when the borders of Europe are once again being renegotiated, sometimes peacefully and sometimes not.” What brings the ChallengeEU community together is not only a readiness to ask questions and push boundaries, but also enthusiasm. This was exactly what Prof. Hélia Gonçalves Pereira, Rector of Universidade Europeia in Lisbon, spoke about when welcoming the conference guests on behalf of the Strategy Board. “When we created this alliance, some said that such an undertaking was impossible; others argued that it was possible, but would be very, very difficult. Today, we can proudly say that we have succeeded — that our dream has come true,” said Prof. Hélia Gonçalves Pereira. “ChallengeEU involves more than 90,000 students, teachers, researchers and partners, working in areas that are crucial not only for the universities forming the Alliance, but also for Europe: mobility and cooperation. As we work to make this ecosystem function as effectively as possible, we are accompanied by great enthusiasm. There is no doubt that in these strange, yet exciting times, we need more and better knowledge.” Prof. Stephan Trahasch, Rector of Hochschule Offenburg, the Alliance’s leading institution, drew attention to the goal that had guided the project from the beginning. “When we brought this alliance to life many months ago, we had a clear vision of what we wanted to do: we wanted European universities to cooperate not only on paper, but in practice, and to take on concrete challenges with a real impact on the world around them. What I see today strengthens my belief that the path we have chosen is the right one,” Prof. Trahasch emphasised. The HSO Rector gave a particularly warm welcome to the students taking part in the conference. “You are not guests at this meeting — you are the reason this alliance exists, and you are the heart of this alliance. Every partnership we build and every barrier we overcome is for you and, most importantly, with you. Your energy and commitment are what make this alliance truly European,” said Prof. Trahasch. Universities have an impact The first Annual Conference of the Alliance was held under the motto “Bridging Regions – Connecting Universities”. It referred to the idea from which ChallengeEU has grown, and whose practical expression can be seen in the long-standing partnership between Offenburg and Olsztyn, as well as in the cooperation between Hochschule Offenburg and the University of Warmia and Mazury that emerged from it. This cooperation would not have been possible without Maria and Georg Dietrich, the founders of the foundation which continues to strengthen relations between the two cities and universities to this day. Julia Ritter spoke about her grandfather’s work and her readiness
ChallengeEU take part in the European Student Assembly 2026 in Strasbourg
From 20 to 22 April, the European Parliament in Strasbourg welcomed more than 200 students from across Europe for the 2026 European Student Assembly, including representatives of the ChallengeEU Alliance. During the event, participants worked together on shared proposals and developed policy recommendations addressing key issues shaping the future of Europe. The European Student Assembly gives students from European University Alliances the opportunity to work together on policy proposals, share perspectives and engage in democratic debate. Participants joined several preparatory online meetings before the event and actively contributed to discussions in Strasbourg, bringing student perspectives on European politics, culture, society and the future of higher education. Among the ChallengeEU representatives was Runa Ziegler from Mid Sweden University, a member of the Student Ambassadors Team. She worked in the panel “Educating without borders”, which focused on topics such as joint thesis projects, interdisciplinary skills labs and new ways of learning across institutional and national boundaries. “I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to go to Strasbourg and meet so many inspiring people,” Runa said. Sunil Hela, another ChallengeEU student representative, described ESA 2026 as a motivating and valuable experience. He emphasised the international atmosphere, the professionalism of the sessions and the opportunity to observe democratic processes in practice during policy proposal discussions and voting sessions. One of the most meaningful moments for him was the acceptance of his own policy proposal. “It was a great honour and a rewarding achievement to see my ideas appreciated and supported by the participants,” Sunil said. For the students, the event was not only an opportunity to discuss important European issues, but also to experience teamwork, leadership and international cooperation inside the European Parliament. The programme encouraged active participation, dialogue and the exchange of ideas among young people from different backgrounds. ChallengeEU was also represented at the Village of Alliances fair, where European University Alliances had the opportunity to present their communities, activities and ambitions. Sofia Hecker, ChallengeEU Secretary General, and Laura, Project Officer from Hochschule Offenburg, visited the students in Strasbourg and joined parts of the programme. Participation in ESA 2026 showed how important student voices are in shaping the future of European higher education. For ChallengeEU, it was another step towards strengthening student engagement, supporting international cooperation and building a more connected European university community.higher education. For ChallengeEU, it was another step towards strengthening student engagement, supporting international cooperation and building a more connected European university community.
New Leadership Elected for ChallengeEU Student Council
The ChallengeEU Student Council has elected its new leadership, marking an important step in strengthening student representation across the alliance. Rebeca Rocha from Universidade Europeia in Lisbon will be President for the second time. The newly appointed President and Vice-President will guide the Council’s work, coordinate activities, and ensure that student perspectives are effectively reflected in key discussions and decisions. The new leadership will also represent students within the alliance’s governance structures, contributing to dialogue with academic and institutional stakeholders. Their role will be crucial in fostering collaboration, amplifying student voices, and supporting the development of inclusive, student-centred initiatives across ChallengeEU. Position Elected Representatives President Rebeca Rocha (UEL) Vice-President Reik Herrmann (HSO) Secretary Mustafa Yawer (UEV) Strategy Board Alketa Mustafi (SEEU) Capucine Carrier (ECAM) Management Board Larissa Josephine Biernacki (UWM) Iwona Pająk (UWM) Academic Council Linda Priede (LBTU) Emil Thors (MIUN) Social Media Axel Cadart (ECAM) Emil Thors (MIU SC Members Anna Harter (HSO), Liāna Gailite (LBTU), Filipe Crisóstomo (UEL), Ella Päffgen (UEV), Alicia Devaux (FHNW), Marija Kosovljanovic (FHNW), Tina Adili (SEEU)
From challenges to Solutions. UWM Hosts M.A.R.K.E.T. Meet-Up on Water Innovation and Resource Recovery
On 22 April 2026, the M.A.R.K.E.T. Meet-Up titled “From Water Challenges to Solutions: Innovation, Treatment and Resource Recovery” took place at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. The event brought together representatives of regions and institutions from across Europe, who engaged in joint discussions on modern solutions in water management, environmental protection, and resource recovery. Participants included representatives of: the Region of West Flanders (Belgium), the Region of Lower Austria – Business Agency of Lower Austria, the Tampere Region (Finland) and the Baltic Institute of Finland, TUA West – Technical University Alliance for Economic Transformation in West Flanders (Belgium), the City of San Sebastián (Spain) – Formento, the municipal economic development agency, the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy), the City of Bremen (Germany), the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (Serbia), and the Warmia and Mazury Regional Development Agency in Olsztyn. Among the participants was also a representative of an associated partner of ChallengeEU from the Marshal’s Office of the Warmia and Mazury Voivodeship. The programme featured presentations on innovations in lake protection and restoration, sludge management in the context of reducing eutrophication, and advanced environmental technologies such as anaerobic digestion and microalgae cultivation. The meeting concluded with a visit to the technological laboratory of the Department of Environmental Engineering at UWM, where participants had the opportunity to explore ongoing research and scientific infrastructure. The M.A.R.K.E.T. Meet-Up served as a platform for the exchange of experiences and good practices among European regions, fostering cooperation between academia, public administration, and economic partners. “One of the topics that attracted particular attention during the meeting was lake restoration. This is a highly relevant issue not only for our region, but across Europe, especially in areas with a long history of intensive agricultural and urban development. As highlighted during the discussions, the current state of many lakes is largely the result of historical pressures — decades of nutrient inflows, insufficient wastewater treatment in the past, and land-use practices that have led to the accumulation of pollutants in sediments. These legacy effects mean that even if external pollution sources are reduced today, lakes often continue to degrade due to internal loading. In this context, innovative restoration approaches are gaining increasing importance. Among them, the use of phosphorus inactivation compounds (salts of iron and aluminum) was presented as a particularly promising method. These technologies can effectively limit phosphorus release from sediments, which is one of the key drivers of eutrophication. What makes them especially valuable is their potential for relatively rapid implementation and measurable environmental impact, supporting the recovery of aquatic ecosystems,” said Dr Paulina Rusanowska, ChallengeEU Project Implementation Specialist at UWM. “The strong interest from international participants confirms that lake restoration is not only a scientific challenge but also a strategic priority for regional development, water management, and environmental protection. Sharing experiences and solutions in this field creates real opportunities for scaling up effective practices and building long-term resilience of water resources across Europe,” she added.
From ideas to action: WP4 team meets in Lyon
On 7–8 April 2026, M.A.R.K.E.T. officers and task leaders from WP4 across the alliance gathered at ECAM La Salle in Lyon for a two-day, in-person WP4 meeting. The meeting was highly productive and marked an important step forward in strengthening collaboration, aligning approaches, and advancing ongoing work within WP4. The programme combined structured working sessions with interactive discussions. Key topics included sharing experiences and best practices from M.A.R.K.E.T. Meet-ups, planning joint interregional M.A.R.K.E.T. student activities for 2026, and shaping the future of the Impact Lab, as well as contributions to the Talent Academy. The meeting also provided valuable space for networking, strengthening relationships, and fostering a shared understanding of the M.A.R.K.E.T. officer role across the alliance. Overall, the meeting successfully combined concrete progress on key tasks with meaningful exchange and collaboration, reinforcing the foundations for continued joint work within WP4. Did you know? M.A.R.K.E.T. = Multi-Actor Research+Knowledge Exchange Teams In each of the three selected Smart Specialisation Areas, challenge-and impact-driven M.A.R.K.E.T.s will act as dynamic platforms for transdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and the co-creation of solutions that span digital, green, social, and sustainable dimensions.
Strengthening collaboration within ChallengeEU: LBTU delegation visits SEEU
From 7 to 9 April, South East European University (SEEU) welcomed Prof. Dr Gatis Vitols, Vice-Rector for Science, and Ingus Smits, Lecturer at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU), for a visit supported by Erasmus+. During the visit, the LBTU delegation had the opportunity to meet with the team from the Max van der Stoel Institute (MVDSI), including its Director, Prof. Dr Veli Kreci. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss research areas of common interest. The delegation also met with Prof. Dr Veland Ramadani, Pro-Rector for Research and Entrepreneurship, and Prof. Dr Florije Ismaili, Advisor for Academic Planning and Digitalisation. These discussions focused on opportunities for research collaboration, as well as the potential development of double degree programmes between the two institutions. As part of their stay at SEEU, the LBTU team also visited several university facilities, including the SEEU Library, where they met with its Director, Elmedina Abdullahi, as well as the STEM Lab and the VR Lab. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to showcase SEEU’s academic and research environment and to further explore areas for future cooperation. We sincerely thank our colleagues from LBTU for their visit and look forward to future opportunities to work together. As partners in the ChallengeEU university alliance, SEEU and LBTU continue to strengthen their cooperation through academic exchange and ongoing discussions on future collaboration.
Advancing sustainable futures through open innovation. The M.A.R.K.E.T. Meet-Up at Kaleidoscoop Strasbourg
Held on 27–28 March 2026 at Kaleidoscoop Strasbourg, The M.A.R.K.E.T. Meet-Up: Idea Lab x Sustainable Futures 2.0 marked a significant step forward in fostering cross-border collaboration and innovation for sustainable development. Building on the outcomes of the Sustainable Idea Lab held in November 2025, this follow-up event brought together a diverse network of participants, organisations and experts committed to shaping practical, long-term solutions for civil society. Organised within the framework of the ChallengeEU initiative and aligned with its emphasis on open, participatory innovation ecosystems, the meet-up exemplified the principles of collaborative knowledge creation, inclusivity and real-world impact through transnational cooperation and continuity. While the November session focused on identifying key sustainability challenges and generating early-stage ideas, the March meet-up shifted its attention towards transforming these concepts into viable and scalable solutions. Participants worked in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams representing France, Germany, Canada, Iran, Ukraine and beyond. Several promising concepts emerged from the meet-up, including digital platforms designed to boost cultural exchange and immersive intercultural training models. Other ideas focused on developing accessible approaches to circular economy practices aimed at making a positive contribution to the local environment. By connecting participants across borders, disciplines and generations, the initiative has continued to demonstrate its value for civil society participants and to create a ripple effect across the Upper Rhine region and beyond, helping to shape a shared European vision built on open collaboration.
Second edition of the M.A.R.K.E.T Meet-Up at ECAM LaSalle
On Friday 27 March, ECAM LaSalle welcomed our local partners from the academic, industrial, public and civil society sectors as part of ChallengeEU. Naldeo Group, Robotique First, ISARA, Saint Thomas d’Aquin, France Travail, the Lyon Metropolis and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region were all present to discuss an issue that concerns them all: lifelong learning and the development of skills to respond to ecological, social, industrial and societal transitions. This morning’s session provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives, share experiences and identify concrete needs to support both employees and organisations through these transitions. This is a major challenge, as it involves not only securing career paths but also fostering sustainable skills development in step with current and future challenges. This issue will be at the heart of next month’s Hackathon, in which students from ECAM LaSalle and their academic partners will participate, designing, developing and presenting solutions to the challenges outlined by our local partners. The event was another example of the ChallengeEU Alliance’s commitment to building bridges between academia and the socio-economic environment, in line with the Quadruple Helix approach. It also highlighted the importance of interregional cooperation in developing sustainable and scalable solutions to shared European challenges. Such initiatives strengthen regional innovation capacity and contribute to shaping a more resilient and sustainable future.
