We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Erasmus+ IGNITE Project – a pioneering two-year initiative dedicated to fostering sustainable innovation among students in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).
This collaboration, set to run from September 2024 to August 2026, brings together seven renowned European institutions: Mednarodna Podiplomska Šola Jožefa Stefana (Slovenia), the Université de Lorraine (France), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Spain), Innovation Hive (Greece), Universiteit Gent (Belgium), the Mednarodni Institut za Implementacijo Trajnostnega Razvoja, Maribor (MIITR, Slovenia) and Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet (Norway).
Key Objectives and Actions
The IGNITE Project’s mission is to equip students with practical skills and cutting-edge knowledge, empowering them to address pressing environmental challenges. The project’s actions include:
- Learning Modules and a Virtual Learning Garden: Students and lifelong learners alike can dive into hands-on, interactive exercises covering diverse topics, from food waste reduction to plasma and nanotechnologies, environmental and sustainable construction, and biomaterials. This Virtual Learning Garden offers a space to explore these subjects through immersive activities, fostering critical thinking and real-world problem-solving skills.
- IGNITE ChatBot: This innovative chatbot provides STEAM students with tailored career guidance, assisting them in mapping out career paths aligned with sustainable practices and industry needs. By offering personalized insights, the ChatBot helps students make informed decisions on how to apply their skills for environmental impact.
- IgniteSphere E-Community: A digital hub where students, educators, industry experts, and sustainability advocates come together to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and co-create innovative solutions. The IgniteSphere promotes a culture of open knowledge-sharing and teamwork, uniting diverse perspectives to drive sustainable change.
Target Groups and Impact
The IGNITE Project aims to reach STEAM students, educators, industry professionals, and sustainability-minded members of the community. By fostering essential competencies in environmentally sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship, IGNITE prepares young innovators to thrive in a world increasingly focused on ecological responsibility and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
