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ChallengED

About the ChallengED project

The ChallengED project responds to this gap by embedding Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) into engineering and business education, with a focus on sustainability, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship.

Our Vision

We believe students learn best when they actively engage with authentic challenges provided by communities, industries, and local organizations. By solving these challenges collaboratively, learners develop not only technical knowledge but also critical soft skills such as teamwork, creativity, leadership, and resilience.

Why ChallengED?

Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders in building a sustainable, inclusive, and innovative Europe. Yet, traditional higher education often struggles to connect theory with real-world impact. The ChallengED project responds to this gap by embedding Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) into engineering and business education, with a focus on sustainability, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship.

Objectives

ChallengED aims to:

  • Develop and test a CBL entrepreneurship course tailored to higher education.
  • Strengthen entrepreneurial, green, and civic skills among students.
  • Engage local actors (companies, municipalities, NGOs) in the co-creation of challenges.
  • Create an open toolbox with course materials, case studies, and teaching guidelines accessible to all universities.
  • Evaluate impact at the student, institutional, and societal level, providing evidence for future policy and practice.

Innovation

Unlike traditional teaching models, ChallengED puts students at the center of the learning process. By combining real sustainability challenges with structured evaluation tools, the project offers a replicable model for European universities seeking to modernize education and contribute to the EU’s Green Deal and Digital Agenda.

Expected Results

  • A catalogue of real challenges co-designed with external stakeholders.
  • A pilot course implemented across partner universities.
  • A framework for impact assessment, providing insights into how CBL shapes skills and mindsets.
  • Dissemination and policy recommendations to support adoption across Europe.

Resources

ChallengED is more than a project — it’s a community of students, educators, and local partners working together to create meaningful change. Whether you are a student eager to learn, a teacher looking for innovative methods, or an organization ready to co-create solutions, there are many ways to join us.

For Students

  • Take part in our Challenge-Based Learning courses (hyperlink) at partner universities.
  • Work on real sustainability challenges with your peers and local actors.
  • Gain entrepreneurial, civic, and green skills to prepare for your future career.

For Educators

  • Access our open-source teaching toolbox (hyperlink) and bring Challenge-Based Learning to your classroom.
  • Join training workshops and exchange best practices with colleagues across Europe.
  • Collaborate with us on piloting innovative teaching approaches.

For Organizations & Communities

  • Co-create challenges with us and see your problems tackled by motivated student teams.
  • Connect with a European network of universities and innovators.
  • Contribute to sustainable solutions with real societal impact.