ESCE/IPS, in conjunction with the E³UDRES² European University alliance, hosted the 2nd edition of the Blended Intensive Program (BIP) “RuralUp – Rural Startup Incubators Bootcamp”, an initiative dedicated to rural entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation. The initiative brought together students, teachers and experts from different European countries in a collaborative experience focused on developing innovative solutions to the challenges faced by start-ups in rural territories.

Throughout the bootcamp, the participants worked in multicultural teams, explored innovation and entrepreneurship methodologies and came into contact with different perspectives on sustainable development, startup incubation and the revitalization of rural communities.

As part of the program, on May 12 the Livramento Market hosted the 2nd edition of the “Regional Innovation Hubs Forum”, a meeting that brought together incubators from Setúbal, Barreiro, Montemor-o-Novo and Fundão to reflect on strategies for developing their activities. This session was also an opportunity for participants to get to know startups and their challenges in order to develop sustainable, attractive and impactful solutions.

The program promoted the sharing of good practices between partner institutions and reinforced essential skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and problem-solving in international and interdisciplinary contexts. In addition to the academic component, it also included a strong cultural and experiential component, including campus visits, city tours, a visit to partner YMCA Alambre and networking moments. These activities helped to reinforce the human and intercultural dimension of the experience, as well as making the Setúbal region known to international participants.

The “RuralUP” BIP, through its various organized activities and networking moments, reinforces the commitment of ESCE/IPS and E³UDRES² to promoting interdisciplinary, international education geared towards social and territorial impact.

See the photo album here.