International collaboration, creative problem-solving and real-life social challenges — these were at the heart of the ECIU University Creathon 2026 hosted by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Spain. The event brought together students from across Europe, giving them the opportunity to exchange perspectives, develop innovative ideas and experience challenge-based learning in an international environment.
Read our student feedback from one of the most creative ECIU events — the ECIU University Creathon. Here is how Adam Cieślak, a TUL student from the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, remembers the event:
"In May 2026 I had the opportunity to participate in the ECIU University Creathon 2026: “Building Inclusive Futures - Rethinking Care, Community, and Urban and Rural Life” at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). The Creathon brought together students from various ECIU universities to work collaboratively on real social challenges related to inclusion, mobility, community life and sustainability.
I took part in the Rural Challenge, which focused on understanding and responding to the needs of rural areas facing demographic decline and infrastructural limitations. An Urban Challenge also took place simultaneously, which focused on sustainable mobility in the university region and connecting the campus with local towns. During the Creathon, I worked in a team of five students, each from a different ECIU institution. This diverse mix allowed us to approach the problem from multiple perspectives and helped our collaboration throughout the week.
The programme included workshops guided by challenge-based learning methods, where we moved step by step from identifying core issues to developing potential solutions. A highlight of the Creathon was the full-day field trip to the Pallars Jussà region in northern Catalonia. We travelled together by bus and train to La Pobla de Segur, enjoying stunning views of the countryside along the way. Visiting local villages including Orcau gave us a first-hand impression of how life is like, in these rural communities. It was inspiring to see the beauty of the landscape, but also important to witness challenges related to limited services, accessibility, jobs and housing that local residents face every day. Experiencing rural life directly made our project work far more meaningful.
Back on campus, our team reflected on our observations and focused our efforts on three key areas that we believed were essential to supporting rural revitalisation: employment, tourism and housing in the Pallars Jussà region. On the final day of the Creathon, each team presented its challenge process and proposed solutions in front of participants, mentors and stakeholders. Our presentation highlighted how improving our three selected areas could help address barriers to repopulation and enhance long-term community wellbeing.
Overall, as with all other ECIU opportunities, the Creathon was not only an enriching academic experience, but also a chance to meet students from across Europe, exchange diverse ideas and explore a new university environment."
The ECIU Office team would like to thank Adam for contributing to our local ECIU news page by preparing this article.
Students interested in sharing their ECIU experiences on TUL’s local ECIU website, or in participating in future ECIU events, are welcome to contact us at eciuoffice@adm.p.lodz.pl or visit our office in the ICC/IFE building (2nd floor, room 206).
