NTU Global European Challenge
The Nottingham Trent University (NTU) European Challenge is a student-led extracurricular project initiated by NTU Global in 2019. Participants travel to various European cities using sustainable transport to research effective and innovative practices.
These practices are then brought back to their communities with the engagement of local councils. Sustainability and community are at the heart of the challenge, with each iteration focusing on a different theme shaped by council needs.
2026 European Inclusive Communities Challenge
The Nottingham Trent University (NTU) European Inclusive Communities Challenge 2026 brought together students, local authorities and international university partners to examine and address how young people can play a meaningful role in shaping inclusive, sustainable communities across the region.
2026 European Inclusive Communities Challenge
Through close collaboration with civic partners including Ashfield District Council, Mansfield District Council and Nottingham City Council, alongside colleagues and students from Université Catholique de Lille, the challenge encouraged young people to become active agents of positive change and help shape the future of their local areas.
Each student group was mentored by an NTU colleague with expertise in the relevant field and worked collaboratively to develop ideas responding to real community needs.
As part of the Challenge, student teams undertook a week‑long research journey across Europe, travelling sustainably and working closely with representatives from local councils. Research destinations included Lille, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Antwerp and Karlsruhe.
This year’s research focused on four key themes:
- Youth engagement through digital media and the arts
- Sustainable fashion for a circular economy
- Making healthy living easy
- Hearing and seeing youth voice: towards active citizenship
Reflecting on their experience, Amira Abid, a BA (Hons) International Business student at Nottingham Business School, said: “It was really nice to make connections with other NTU students and with councillors. I didn’t realise how easy it was to contact councillors or fully understand their roles. Participating in this Challenge has made me more aware of what goes on behind the scenes and has motivated me to take more initiative in politics and encourage others to get involved too.”
Another student participant, Joshua Ludlam studying MA Education in Organisational Leadership and Governance, highlighted the value of combining academic learning with cultural immersion. “The Challenge provided unique insights into democracy, civic engagement and the awakening of citizenship,” he said, noting that the collaborative workshops, lectures and city tours in Lille and Rotterdam helped inspire deeper curiosity, connection and a sense of global citizenship.
The question of how we engage young people to help create and maintain thriving inclusive communities in our region is a hugely important one. A key objective of this Challenge was to link NTU’s teaching, research and strategic commitment to supporting economic growth to local priorities, and to encourage greater engagement between our student population and local residents, businesses, civic leaders and policy formation.
Professor Richard Emes, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and International, NTU
The Challenge culminated in a showcase event at NTU’s Mansfield Hub, attended by council representatives, NTU senior leaders, colleagues and partners. International partners and students from Université Catholique de Lille also joined the event online.
At the showcase event, student teams presented their ideas through short pitches and posters to a judging panel representing local government and the university. The winning pitch was Pride of Place (POP), a youth-led project celebrating what young people are proud of in Mansfield and Ashfield through creative public displays.
The proposal explored the use of an interactive virtual reality experience to layer past and present town centres, making youth voices visible and helping to build trust through transparent decision-making.
The panel praised students for the ambition, practicality and depth of research demonstrated across the proposals, highlighting their strong potential for local implementation across Nottinghamshire. Many of the ideas presented at the showcase will now be explored further with partner councils, continuing NTU Global’s commitment to turning international learning into lasting local impact.
NTU colleagues interested in mentoring a future European Challenge are encouraged to contact faye.martin@ntu.ac.uk.
How has this challenge impacted our students
What our students say
Hear directly from our students about how participating in the European Challenge has impacted their personal growth and professional development.