Future of sustainable business explored at BIP in Bragança

A total of 34 students and 12 faculty members from seven European universities participated in the BIP Sustainability and ESG program that took place between April and May, culminating in an Intensive Week held from May 5th to 9th at the Bragança  Polytechnic University of (IPB), within the framework of the STARS EU consortium. The partner institutions included the Bragança Polytechnic University (Portugal), University of La Laguna (Spain), Hochschule Bremen (Germany),  Krakow Polytechnic University (Poland), University Aleksander Moisiu (Albania) and Silesian University in Opava.   (Czech Republic).

The program aimed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable business practices and highlight the role of entrepreneurship and innovation in transforming how companies operate. Participants explored the impact of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors on corporate performance, analysed sustainability strategies adopted by organisations from different countries, and developed sustainability reports with recommendations for improvement.

In addition, six company leaders contributed to the program by sharing their real-world experiences and launching practical challenges to the student groups. These challenges formed the basis of the final project, which culminated in a pitch session where participants presented their solutions. The entrepreneurs were actively involved in evaluating the proposals, promoting a constructive and collaborative learning environment.

This BIP fostered international collaboration, critical thinking, and the exchange of knowledge, while reinforcing the importance of integrating sustainability and social responsibility into the core of business strategies today.