This Short Advanced Programme (SAP) is jointly coordinated by Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave (IPCA) and Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS), delivered under the Entrepreneurship strand of Work Package 4.
In today’s increasingly global and competitive markets, adaptability and continuous learning are essential. Societal, environmental, political, and economic challenges impact our collective well-being, varying across geographical, historical, and socio-economic contexts. Addressing these complex issues requires active collaboration between government, businesses, and non-profit organisations, leveraging social capital to foster sustainable regional development and overall well-being.
Social entrepreneurship offers a community-driven approach to tackling these challenges, with social economy organisations prioritising solidarity-based relationships within their environments. As paradigms shift and challenges grow, it is crucial to analyse society through a strategic and sustainable lens. Education plays a vital role in driving social change, helping to build a supportive, sustainable, and inclusive ecosystem for social entrepreneurship.
22nd of September 2025 to 10th of October 2025
English
To be defined by each Home Institution. In general, most students will have the SAP certified in the Diploma Supplement, as a minimal condition.
Students from any study cycle, with a particular emphasis on students with Management, Engineering, and Design profiles.
Application for this product is closed.
Programme at a glance
Topic: Kick-off session + Individual work
Professors: Paula Loureiro & Teresa Dieguez (IPCA)
Mode: DL streaming
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September 23rd 2025
Topic:
Lecture 1: Active Citizenship and Volunteering
Video 1 “The Lives of Others | What is Volunteering? - This video explains the principles of volunteering, such as complementarity, responsibility, gratuitousness and solidarity”
Video 2 “Animated short film about volunteering | Help! - A fun and original animated short film promoting volunteering”
Lecture “Volunteering: Developing Skills and Strengthening Communities”
The session starts with an introductory video on volunteering. After watching the video, the students are divided into small groups to discuss the main points (concept, characteristics, modalities, profiles, social impact, etc.) and to put together a dynamic presentation on the impact of volunteering. This will be followed by a reflection and debate session divided into two parts: (i) Individual reflection (after watching an inspiring video such as 'Volunteering as a way of life | Leticia García | TEDxYouth@Madrid', students are asked to reflect individually on what they have learnt and how they can apply these concepts in their lives; (ii) Class debate on the topics covered in the videos to deepen understanding and encourage active participation. As individual independent work, students are asked to read an article and write a short essay on what they have learnt and how they can get involved in volunteering.
Lecturer: Alexandre Coutinho (IAFA) e Isabel Ferreira (IPCA)
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September 24th 2025
Topic: Individual work
Professor: Sharon Lucey (TUS)
Mode: DL streaming
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September 25th 2025
Topic: Lecture 2: Entrepreneurship
Vídeo 3 “Entrepreneurship and Self-Analysis”
Lecturer: Sharon Lucey (TUS)
Lecture “Planning a New Venture: Know Yourself”
Starting up a new business on your own is not like applying for a job in an existing organisation. There are no selection interviews, no one to tell you what to do or how to do it. It is a green field in which you can choose what seeds to plant, what to build and what role you wish to play. By examining their own motivations, students will learn about the type of entrepreneur they might want to be.
Lecturer: Sharon (TUS)
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September 26th 2025
Topic: Student collaboration
Professors: Paula Loureiro & Teresa Dieguez
Mode: DL streaming
Topic: Individual work
Lecture 3: Social Innovation
Video 4 “The many types of Entrepreneurship”
Lecture: “Big Business or Social Enterprise? Looking at Invention, Innovation and Disruption”
Entrepreneurship can be categorized into four main types: small business, scalable startup, large company, and social entrepreneurship. Small business entrepreneurs typically run local businesses, while scalable startups focus on innovation and rapid growth. Large company entrepreneurs drive innovation within established firms, and social entrepreneurs aim to create positive impact in their local community, or in the wider environment. This lecture will help students understand the different types of entrepreneurships and how successful entrepreneurs often share key characteristics such as innovation, risk-taking, vision, resilience, passion, and adaptability. These traits enable them to navigate challenges and drive their ventures forward, whether for profit or for social improvement.
Lecturers: Dr James Griffin and Dr Derek McInerney (TUS)
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September 30th 2025
Topic: Student collaboration
Professors: James Griffin & Derek McInerney (TUS)
Mode: DL streaming
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October 1st 2025
Topic: Case Study 1: NGO
Case study 1: Portuguese NGO based in Barcelos, committed to educating young people and adults about the importance of intercultural dialogue, volunteering and active involvement in community life. IAFA’s projects and activities primarily target young individuals and adults who are motivated to acquire intercultural skills, actively engage in societal matters, and cultivate their artistic, creative, and leadership abilities. Through these initiatives, IAFA strives to foster a society that values inclusivity, creativity, and active participation. Within the framework of this SAP, and through group dynamics, the students, in a multicultural and multidisciplinary context, will be challenged to solve a concrete problem presented by the NGO, using Service-Learning Project methodology.
Mode: DL streaming
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October 2nd 2025
Topic: Case Study 2: Public Entity:
Case study 2: A public entity with a municipal scope that works in close relationships and cooperation with the various organisations in the area (public, private and non-profit) to carry out various actions to promote active citizenship, thereby contributing to the strengthening of social cohesion and equal opportunities. In this way, this public structure aims, among other things, to facilitate the matching of supply and demand for volunteering entrepreneurial opportunities, to empower the various actors and to support community social innovation initiatives. Within the framework of this SAP, and through group dynamics, the students, in a multicultural and multidisciplinary context, will be challenged to solve a concrete problem presented by the public entity, using Service-Learning Project methodology.
Case Study 3: Private Company:
Case study 3: A textile company located in the North of Portugal (Sancar Premium Socks), precisely in Barcelos, that produce socks since 1995. Throughout the years, the company have been following market innovation and growing demand, combining technology and innovation with know-how and experience in this industry. The continuous investment in machines, software, facilities and R&D allows company to offer a high-quality range of products. This company meet the highest quality standards, offering an outstanding customer experience while ensuring sustainable sock production. They uphold high ethical standards and create a positive social impact by ensuring responsibility in every stage of sock production. Within the framework of this SAP, and through group dynamics, the students, in a multicultural and multidisciplinary context, will be challenged to solve a concrete problem presented by the company, using Service-Learning Project methodology.
Mode: DL streaming
Topic: Welcome / Cultural Activities
Professor: All
Mode: Outside
October 6th – Afternoon (4h)
Topic: Kick-off Session
Professor: All
Mode: In class (IPCA)
October 7th – Morning (4h)
Topic: Workshop 1 – Case Study 1
Professor: NGO
Mode: In class (IPCA)
October 7th – Afternoon (4h)
Topic: Workshop 2 – Case Study 2
Professor: Public Entity
Mode: Outside
October 8th – Morning (2h)
Topic: Workshop 3 – Case Study 3
Professor: Private Company
Mode: Outside
October 8th – Afternoon (4h)
Topic: Teaming Activities
Professor: Facilitators
Mode: In class (IPCA)
October 9th – Morning (2h)
Topic: Teaming Activities
Professor: Facilitators
Mode: In class (IPCA)
October 9th – Afternoon (4h)
Topic: Teaming Activities + Final Presentations
Professor: All
Mode: In class (IPCA)
October 10th – Morning (2h)
Topic: Balance Sheet + Farewell Activity
Professor: All
Mode: In class (IPCA)
October 10th – Afternoon (4h)
Topic: Multicultural Activity
Professor: All
Mode: Outside (IPCA)
Learning outcomes
By the end of this Short Advanced Programme, learners will be able to:
Critically think about the contribution that any individual can offer to society.
Identify opportunities for change and exchange.
Know best practices for social innovation and even be able to replicate them in other contexts.
Understand the importance of networking and working in an international multidisciplinary team.
Comprehend the impact of local culture and tradition in the social entrepreneurship process.
Selection criteria
Selection Procedure and Criteria: number of submissions, motivation, even representation of subjected areas/field of study and balance representation of RUN-EU members institution;
Minimum Number of Students to be selected: 30
Involved organisations and persons
Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave
Lead Organisation, Host Organisation- Paula Loureiro (Lead Instructor)
- Teresa Dieguez (Instructor)
Technological University of the Shannon
Partner Organisation- James Griffin (Instructor)
Other persons involved
- IAFA IAFA (Regional Stakeholder)
