SDG Action Festival (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

In this course, students collaborate in international teams on a real-life project commissioned by a company or organization. The task is to design and implement an event that highlights the client’s sustainability goals in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project begins with virtual teamwork via Microsoft Teams and culminates in an intensive week where students work face-to-face and organize the final event. The course develops students’ skills in project management, communication, and teamwork while strengthening their ability to operate effectively in a multicultural environment.

- Fundamentals of international teamwork and intercultural communication
- Use of digital tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams) in project management
- Application of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in organizational and business contexts
- Project work with a client: event planning, implementation, and evaluation
- Intensive project week: face-to-face collaboration and event organization

Objective

Students are made aware of the implications of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and how the SDGs are applied in practice. Students raise awareness through an organised SDG Action festival using the strategic marketing tool. Online pressure cooker sessions are used for knowledge acquisition and collaboration platform for designing event execution. Students develop means to showcase oragnisations’ SDG practices. They work in international teams to develop concepts for live communication events utilising knowledge on event management. Students gain professional network through participating commissioners.

Content

Cross-cultural communication
Defining stakeholders (person and empathy mapping)
Concept development (molecules and one-liner)
Event production
Pitching

Location and time

Six mandatory online pressure cookers session held on MS Teams:

2.2.2026
9.2.2026
23.2.2026
9.3.2026
16.3.2026
30.3.2026

Mandatory independent online teamwork (coaching available when required)

Mandatory participation during the contact week in Tornio 20-24 April, 2026

Materials

Available in MS Teams

Teaching methods

Students from Lapland UAS (also partnering Laurea UAS) in Finland, Breda UAS and InHolannd UAS in the Netherlands, VIVES UAS in Belgium and ESHTE in Portugal work in mixed teams to create awareness and educate the locals on SDGs.
Six online pressure cookers with key notes, instructions for the project hosted by the different universities. The online workings sessions of international teams are coached by the different teachers from all participating universities. Additionally, the teams also work online independently.

The contact week in Tornio is held on 20-24 April 2026. During the week, the teams will get key notes, instructions and working sessions. The coaches are available from all the participating universities to assist the teams. This will lead to a real-life pop-up event to be oragnised in the Rajalla shopping centre on Thursday 23.4.2026 for all the commissioners involved. The participating student teams will create awareness and/or make to target groups to enthusiastically donate money or become a volunteer.

Employer connections

Opportunity to network with the participating commissioners.

International connections

Opportunity to network with the students and academics of the partnering universities for possible future mobility abroad.

Student workload

This 5 ECTS studies require the following time resources:

Six pressure cooker sessions lasting for 2,5 hours each.

80 hours are to be dedicated to independent teamwork and research.

The contact week sessions in Tornio would entail about 40 hours.

Further information

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, the student:
- is able to work in an international, multidisciplinary team and use digital tools effectively for collaboration
- understands the significance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the operations of organizations and companies
- is capable of planning and implementing an event in a way that meets the needs of a client organization
- can communicate clearly and convincingly with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
- develops their professional identity and reflects on their role in international project work