From 1 to 5 June 2026, the University of Limoges hosted the EUPeace Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week, bringing together students and staff from across the Alliance for an immersive experience dedicated to entrepreneurship, innovation and intercultural exchange. The event brought together 23 participants from six partner universities across six countries: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Exploring Opportunities and Challenges of Innovation
Throughout the week, participants engaged in a dynamic programme combining learning, creativity and collaboration. Working in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, they explored innovative approaches to addressing societal challenges related to social innovation, inclusive societies, peace and resilience, and sustainable development.
One of the key moments of the week was a roundtable discussion on entrepreneurship featuring Deniz Zeren, Aurore Berthier, François Bessette and Matthias Monneron. The speakers shared their professional experiences, discussed the realities of entrepreneurship and provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by innovators today.
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24-Hour Challenge Generated Innovative Projects
The centrepiece of the event was the Entrepreneurship Night, an intensive 24-hour challenge during which international teams developed innovative project ideas in response to real-world issues. Combining learning sessions, mentoring and collaborative project work, participants worked around the clock to transform their concepts into practical and viable solutions. Throughout the challenge, teams were supported by mentors and coaches who guided them through the different stages of project development.
The challenge reached its final stage with a five-minute pitch session, in which participants presented their projects to a jury consisting of Dora Abidi, Youssef Boughlem, Aurélien Faderne, and Pia Abildgaard. The winning project, Pari Parrots, proposed an application designed to centralise information, services and communication channels for international students, making it easier for them to navigate university life and access essential resources.
Entrepreneurship as a Facilitator of Cooperation and Intercultural Exchange
Beyond the entrepreneurial challenge itself, the programme offered numerous opportunities for networking and intercultural learning. Team-building activities at Domaine de Reynou, cultural visits in Limoges and a thematic masterclass encouraged participants to exchange perspectives, strengthen their collaboration skills and discover the cultural richness of the region.
The event successfully demonstrated how entrepreneurship can serve as a powerful tool for addressing societal challenges while fostering cooperation between students and staff from different European countries. Participants not only enhanced their entrepreneurial knowledge but also developed valuable transversal skills, including teamwork, communication, creativity and problem-solving.
By bringing together members of the EUPeace partner universities, the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week embodied the Alliance’s commitment to building a more inclusive, innovative and collaborative European higher education community.
The University of Limoges was proud to host this inspiring initiative.
Discussions are now underway to prepare the next event in 2027 and explore new ways to further enhance the participant experience and strengthen cooperation across the Alliance.
