Telling our story: European Future Towns Challenge
Now in its fourth year, the European Future Towns Challenge sees a group of 50 Nottingham Trent University students, along with academic mentors and university staff, embark on an eight-day international experience beginning in Mansfield and Ashfield, and taking in Lille and other areas of France.
International inspiration
The trip was developed with a key focus on driving innovation and inspiration for the Mansfield and Ashfield areas. The idea is that, by exploring new approaches to common challenges, the best ideas can be replicated in Mansfield and Ashfield, creating dynamic solutions to issues the region may be facing. The participating group first takes part in a discovery day, in which students along with their mentors, meet with representatives from the region’s district councils and tour key sites in Mansfield and Ashfield, before travelling to Lille, where they immerse themselves in a number of innovative social and cultural projects in the area.
Using this information, the students then participate in workshops and develop presentations on their ideal innovative future town.
Showcase event
When they return to the UK, the students present their findings at a showcase event held at NTU’s University Centre in Mansfield. The event is attended by distinguished guests including representatives from the host destinations and Ashfield and Mansfield District Councils.
Mayor Andy Abrahams, Executive Mayor of Mansfield, who has previously travelled to Lille with the students said: “I’m really proud to have been involved in the European Challenge with NTU. It has given us a tremendous opportunity to seek the views and gain inspiration from young people to inform our future plans for Mansfield. The high quality feedback from the students has been presented to senior officers, influencers and stakeholders, contributing to the development and delivery of the Masterplan and our wider ambitions for Mansfield.
“To future-proof our town, we must consider the views and values of younger people, especially those from our area and build their ideas into our planning. We hope to build on this relationship with NTU, with the European partners involved and of course with the students. It has been a fantastic opportunity.”
I’m really proud to have been involved in the European Challenge with NTU. It has given us a tremendous opportunity to seek the views and gain inspiration from young people to inform our future plans for Mansfield. The high quality feedback from the students has been presented to senior officers, influencers and stakeholders, contributing to the development and delivery of the Masterplan and our wider ambitions for Mansfield."
Andy Abrahams, Mayor of Mansfield
European Challenge 2024
This year’s challenge was themed around inclusive communities. We collaborated with three local District Councils – Ashfield, Bolsover, and Mansfield – who actively engaged with us to see how towns and cities in Europe are creating and promoting inclusive communities.
The challenge encompassed several subthemes, including health inequalities, homelessness, housing, community engagement, industrial past, net-zero future, inclusivity through activity and sport, AI, digital exclusion, and poverty.
The participants attended workshops and discussions led by colleagues and guest speakers from L'Université Catholique de Lille, before heading to different cities across Europe with their academic mentors to further their research.
This year’s winning entry was delivered by a team who focused on the theme ‘Industrial Past, Net Zero Future’. Their project was praised for its excellent presentation, strong research, and its potential to be implemented by all three district councils, addressing the skills gap and encouraging business investments in local areas.