Event-driven Innovation:
Zooming in on the World Surf League 2026
What happens when one of the world’s biggest surfing events becomes a living laboratory for innovation?
The Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “Event-Driven Innovation: Zooming in on the World Surf League 2026” brings together students from across Europe to explore how major events can create lasting value for communities, businesses, and the environment. Jointly coordinated by the Polytechnic University of Leiria (IPLeiria, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences and Technical University of Liberec), this international programme combines creativity, collaboration, and impact.
Innovation is essential in today’s event industry, where events must create memorable experiences while delivering value for visitors, local communities, businesses, and the environment.
In this BIP, students will explore event-driven innovation through the unique setting of Peniche, Portugal, one of the official stops on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour since 2009. Working in international and multidisciplinary teams, participants will use Design Thinking to develop innovative solutions for real stakeholders connected to one of the world’s largest surfing events.
Each year, the WSL event attracts around 120,000 visitors and reaches millions worldwide through traditional and digital media. Students will investigate the event’s social, cultural, economic, and environmental impact, addressing challenges such as sustainability, mobility, waste management, and community engagement.
Throughout the programme, participants will collaborate with local stakeholders, including WSL representatives, surf organisations, event professionals, and sustainability experts. Their ideas will not remain on paper, students will prototype and test their solutions during the event itself, gaining hands-on experience in creating positive impact through innovation.
Are you curious about what happens behind the scenes of major international events? Do you enjoy working on real-world challenges, collaborating with students from different countries, and creating solutions that make a difference?
Whether you are passionate about events, sustainability, innovation, tourism, or surfing, this BIP offers a unique opportunity to learn by doing. Experience one of the world's premier surfing competitions from the inside, connect with industry professionals, and help shape the future of sustainable events.
Join us in Peniche, where innovation meets the ocean and ride the wave of change with us!
28th of September 2026 to 25th of October 2026
English
To be defined by each higher education institution. Generally, most students will have this certified in their diploma supplement, as a minimal condition.
All RUN-EU degree students, but preference is given to students with demonstrated interest in events, community, sustainability and innovation.
For additional information regarding grant support, please contact your International Relations Office (IRO) at your Home HEI.
Programme at a glance
Wednesday: You will have to do some assignments on your own (homework).
Thursday (15:30-18:00): This session is a design thinking workshop that also includes a group bonding exercise
Wednesday You will have to do some assignments on your own (homework).
Thursday 15:30-18:00 This session helps you go through the Empathise and Define phase of the Design Thinking process.
Depending on the availability of the stakeholders, you will also meet them.
Wednesday You will have to do some assignments on your own (homework).
Thursday 15:30-18:00 This session guides you through the Prototype Phase of the Design Thinking Process. You will design the first prototype as a solution to the challenge you are working on.
- Each day will start at 09:00 and end at 17:00.
- The program will be flexible due to the event being ON (surfers compete, many event participants) or OFF (surfers do not compete, no event participants) according to the weather. The aim is for student to test their prototypes when the event is ON and work at school when the event if OFF. Yet, as we don't know this in advance we have to redesign the program every day to make it work. This requires flexibility from teachers and students.
- On all days, each groups will have their own coach. The coach is available for the students to ask questions. There will also be regular coach meetings to discuss the progress of the group and check if anything else is needed.
- Social program will include watching the competition, a backstage tour (if possible) and a surf lesson.
Below you can find an overview of the activities per day in an ideal situation.:
Day 1 : We will welcome you at the event location in Supertubos Beach, Peniche. We will spend some time on getting to know each other and the event location. Depending on the availability of the stakeholders, we will meet with them at the beach or at their venue.
Day 2: Receive feedback on the first iteration of your prototype and work on a second iteration of your prototype in your groups.
Day 3: If the event is ON you go to the event and test the protoype that you have. If the event is OFF or you have enough data, you analyse the data, work on the next iteration of the prototype and receive feedback from your coach.
Day 4: If the event is ON you go to the event and test the protoype that you have. If the event is OFF or you have enough data, you analyse the data, work on the next iteration of the prototype and receive feedback from your coach.
Day 5: If the event is ON you go to the event and test the protoype that you have. If the event is OFF or you have enough data, you analyse the data, work on the next iteration of the prototype and receive feedback from your coach.
Day 6: You will work on the preparation for the final assessment. You create an infographic that shows the actions taken in each phase of the design thinking process. You make sure to showcase your different prototypes. You make sure to showcase the final prototype and the solution to your challenge. In addition, you reflect both as a group as well as individually on what you have learned. Your coach will guide you in this process.
Day 7: Final assessment exhibition. Groups showcase their prototypes, infographics and discuss what they have learned. Teachers walk around to assess the quality and engage with the students about their process. When the assessment is done, the results are given to the students. After that, we will enjoy a social activity together in the form of a dinner at a local surf bar.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme, learners will be able to:
To be able to look beyond the event and analyse the impact on the people, businesses and environment of Peniche.
Learn how to work in an iterative manner.
Learn what makes an event sustainable and what you as a participant or organiser can do to help that.
Selection criteria
Joint Selection Procedure and Criteria
Maximum Number of Students to be selected: 30
Involved organisations and persons
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
Partner Organisation- Joyce Heijnen (Instructor)
- Roos de Neijs (Instructor)
Polytechnic University of Leiria
Lead Organisation- Cátia Siopa (Instructor)
- João Costa (Lead Instructor)
Technical University of Liberec
Partner Organisation- Artur Bohac (Instructor)
- Emil Drapela (Instructor)
Other persons involved
- Afonso Teixeira (Regional Stakeholder)
- Joao Vasconcelos (Regional Stakeholder)
- José Rodrigues (Regional Stakeholder)
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Grant Agreement Number: 101124674
