Virtual Component
April 13 to April 17, 2026
​4 hours in synchronous sessions
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Synchronous Online Sessions: April 13th
6 p.m. (CET/ Poland/ Spain/ Italy/Belgium)
7 p.m. (EET/Bulgaria)
5 p.m. (GMT/ Portugal)
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Link: the access link will be available shortly.
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The virtual module named "Territorial Revitalisation and Resilience" serves as a preliminary course tailored to occur a fortnight before the in-person sessions held in Portugal. This virtual session is carefully structured to ensure that all participants gain the requisite knowledge and competencies to actively participate in the face-to-face meetings, thus establishing a strong groundwork in the principles underpinning territorial resilience and strategic planning. By promoting a shared comprehension and collaborative ethos, the objective of this program is to enhance the overall educational journey within the BIP initiative.
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The online session will kick off with a comprehensive overview of the agenda, succeeded promptly by a contemplative discussion centred on the profound dedication necessary to tackle the significant issues encountered in sparsely populated regions and their surrounding areas. A fundamental segment of the preparatory phase will concentrate on promoting interdisciplinary and intercultural cooperation. This focus underscores the importance of diverse viewpoints in advancing problem-solving and creativity when formulating effective regional revitalization schemes. Participants will be actively urged to exchange their own experiences and perspectives related to territorial obstacles, nurturing a truly cooperative learning environment.
Expanding on this groundwork, a substantial portion of the program will be devoted to exploring critical strategic concepts tailored for regions with low population density. This entails deliberating on innovative tactics for revitalizing territories and fortifying community resilience within these locales. Participants will assess approaches to recognize and leverage local assets, encompassing natural, cultural, human, and heritage resources, that exhibit substantial developmental promise in low-density regions.
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Subsequently, a pivotal segment of the program will focus on presenting robust planning and policy propositions (both regulatory and spatial). These frameworks are designed to reinforce the vital linkage between urban and rural areas encircling small towns. Practical illustrations and case studies will be employed to demonstrate how interdisciplinary teams can devise imaginative, sustainable, and pragmatic resolutions to genuine territorial issues. This groundwork is crucial in showcasing how small regions can effectively exemplify European sustainability models, fostering ingenuity and preserving regional identity.
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The virtual session will wrap up with a recap of key insights and essential logistical details for the forthcoming week in Portugal. This will encompass practical information, clear guidelines, and effective strategies for active participation during the in-person sessions.
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Presencial Component
April 27 to May 1, 2026
Presentations
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Insert the presentations here....
Challenge
Sparsely populated areas and their hinterlands: how designing the future of low-density territories?
Participants will work in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams to develop strategic and spatial proposals that revitalise low-density regions surrounding small cities (with populations under 25,000 residents).The challenge encourages students to: Reflect on innovative strategies for territorial revitalisation and community resilience; Identify and value local resources (natural, cultural, human, and patrimonial) with development potential; Propose planning and policy ideas (normative and spatial) that strengthen the connection between urban and rural spaces; Demonstrate how small territories can serve as European models of sustainability, creativity, and local identity.
💡 Expected Output:
Teams will present a 10 minute PITCH that clearly communicates: Their vision and concept for the chosen territory; The resources and opportunities identified; The proposed strategies for revitalisation; The expected impacts (economic, social, environmental, and cultural).
📅 Format Blended:
Online preparatory sessions + in-person intensive week in Portugal Work mode: Team-based, with mentoring and fieldwork components Final deliverable: 10 minute Pitch Presentation.
🧠Why Join?
Experience Portugal’s authentic territories and their cultural richness; Collaborate with European peers from diverse backgrounds; Develop creative, sustainable, and practical solutions to real territorial challenges; Strengthen your international and professional profile within the UNIgreen Alliance.
✅ Target Participants:
Open to Bachelor’s and Master’s students in fields such as: Urban and Regional Planning · Environmental Studies · Geography · Tourism · Management · Design · Architecture · Cultural Heritage · Sustainability and related areas.