Nottingham Trent University students showcase the impact young people can have in local communities through the European Cities Challenge

Now in its fifth year, the project – delivered by NTU Global – gave 39 students the opportunity to travel across Europe and to address real-world issues through international research and close engagement with local councils.

Partnering once again with Mansfield, Ashfield, and Bolsover District Councils, the challenge tasked students with identifying ways to strengthen youth participation in local decision-making. Insights from the trip were showcased at a final event at NTU’s Mansfield Hub, where student teams pitched their proposals to university leaders, council representatives, and local stakeholders.

“The students participating in this year’s challenge have been so impressive. Their enthusiastic engagement with local authorities and European partners has challenged us to think differently,” said Jeremy Hague, Director of Knowledge Exchange at Nottingham Trent University. “We have already begun to explore how we can turn these inspirational ideas into actions that will benefit local communities in Mansfield, Ashfield and Bolsover.”

The journey began in Lille, France, with a series of workshops hosted by long-standing NTU partner, Université Catholique de Lille. Students met with the Deputy Mayor of Lille, university leaders, and civic organisations to learn how the city empowers young people to help shape its future. From there, five student teams travelled through Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, conducting site visits and compiling research on youth engagement, digital culture, sustainability, and artificial intelligence.

The programme culminated in the European Cities Challenge Showcase, where student groups presented their findings in five-minute pitches supported by research posters. The winning team, The BAM Collective, proposed a youth-led brand and digital hub aimed at unifying and promoting activities for young people across the three partner districts. Their concept—taglined “Created by young people, for young people”—was praised for its practicality and potential for real-world impact.

Deputy Mayor Craig Whitby of Mansfield District Council said: “It was a pleasure to be involved in this year’s European Inclusive Communities Challenge. What impressed me most was the creativity and practicality of the ideas, and the fact that they reflect the kinds of challenges we grapple with in local government every day. I’m particularly proud that an idea from last year’s challenge has now become a live project in Mansfield, with our first-ever AI exhibition planned for later this year. It shows that when we create space for young people’s ideas, and back them with real support, they can have a lasting impact.”

Therasa Garrod, Tourism & Place Manager at Bolsover District Council reflected on her participation of the challenge:

“How best to engage young people in decision-making and governance is at the heart of the Bolsover Place Programme. The learning from this trip has been instrumental in providing a clear way forward to shape a new Young Ambassador Programme. One of the students from the trip who is from the Bolsover area, has agreed to work with me on developing the board and is keen to help shape the new Bolsover Young Ambassador Programme.”

Student participants, many of whom study at NTU’s Mansfield Hub or live in the partnering districts, gained both professional experience and personal insight.

Astha Sharma, a BA (Hons) Business Management and Marketing student said:  “The European Cities Challenge is a unique opportunity that I haven’t seen offered by other universities. Taking part has equipped me with skills and connections that will definitely help me in my future career. It’s also great to immerse yourself in new cultures and languages and meet people you might never otherwise have encountered.”

With strong endorsements from both university leadership and local authorities, the 2025 European Cities Challenge has once again demonstrated the powerful outcomes of student-led research and international collaboration.