Expedition+ @ Vaasa: European Societal Engagement on Energy Poverty & Crisis
About the ENGAGE.EU Expedition+
The ENGAGE.EU Expedition+ is a one-week intensive, international, and multidisciplinary co-design program aimed at empowering learners to develop innovative solutions to real-life challenges.
It is a collaborative program that unites students, experts, and mentors from the ENGAGE.EU Alliance, leveraging inno-preneurship principles to generate societal value through innovation.
With the involvement of researchers and PhD candidates from alliance universities, the program further enriches its interdisciplinary approach, amplifying the diversity of perspectives, skills, and expertise that participants bring to each challenge.
By engaging in this international co-design program, participants work in interdisciplinary teams, guided by design-thinking methodologies and mission-oriented strategies. This approach enables them to co-create knowledge-based solutions that address contemporary societal issues in innovative and impactful ways.
The “United for Energy Equity” themed Expedition+ fosters cross-country collaboration on universal energy challenges. It focuses on developing scalable, adaptable solutions for diverse European communities and to raise awareness and empower citizens across Europe to engage with energy issues.
Gain insights into the previous Expedition Weeks:
Past Expedition Weeks
About the Challenge
The Expedition United for Energy Equity invites participants to the Nordic Capital of Energy – Vaasa in Finland, to innovate on how to tackle shared pan European challenges concerning Energy relatable and accessible for the society.
This challenge is designed to create :
- Understanding how to work effectively across countriesto address shared challenges, including diverse stakeholders and navigating different regulatory or cultural contexts.
- Gaining the ability to design solutions that scale and adaptto the varying needs of European communities, recognizing that one size rarely fits all in energy systems.
- Learning how to engage, inform, and empower citizensso they can actively participate in Europe’s energy transition, fostering greater awareness, ownership, and societal impact
The expected learning aligns with EU guidance that highlights the importance of education and skills to empower citizens in the energy transition. The EU also stresses sharing knowledge across countries to tackle common challenges, and promoting inclusive, citizen ‑centered approaches that support active participation in energy decisions and collective initiatives.
Programme Overview
Duration & Format
- Duration: Monday to Thursday
- Format: In person
- Team Size: 4–5 members, multinational
- Working Language: English
Key Tracks/Deliverables (the teams will choose one)
- Track 1: Digital Engagement Tools for Europe (apps, educational platforms, pan-European campaigns)
- Track 2: Data Visualization & Storytelling (making European energy issues accessible and relatable)
Schedule Overview
Sunday program for those who arrive early (TBD)
Monday, Day 1, Ideation
9:00 AM Kickoff & Ideation @Wärtsilä Sustainable technology HUB
- Keynote by Wärtsilä
- Tour at the Sustainable technology Hub (Sustainable Technology Hub)
- Team formation and challenge specifics, the work begins.
- Evening program : Wellbeing and Happiness : Professor of Practice Markus Wartiovaara
(Sauna, food)
Tuesday, Day 2: Development Cruise
Working onboard Botnia Aurora 13:00 AM – 21:30 PM (Wasaline – A dash better)
- The beautiful UNESCO world heritage archipelago and the most sustainable ferry in the world will be the office for the day. Discover High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago – Unesco World Heritage
- Guests (TBD)
Wednesday, Day 3: Finalization
10:00 AM @Vaasa Startup Factory
- Solution finalization
- Pitch Coaching and rehearsing
- Submission of material
- Evening program with Hanken students and staff
Thursday, Day 4: Pitching Day @Hanken
9:00 – 11:00
- Pitches to international jury
- Awards & Closing
Support and Structure
The Expedition+ will follow a Design Thinking format and involves experts from various fields, relevant for the challenge and the way of working.
Expected Learning and Impact
- Identifying and understanding real challenges
- Recognizing solutions through innovative processes, training the ability to turn plans into real action
- Building strong expertise while also sharpening skills like researching, collaborating with others from different fields, handling uncertainty, thinking in solutions, staying organized, and communicating effectively.
ENGAGE.EU expeditions are organized on top of the regular curriculum of the student.
Your Profile
The ENGAGE.EU Expedition+ is targeted at master’s students, PhDs candidates and Researchers at any career stage, it is also possible for bachelor students to apply. Participants of any citizenship and any field of study who are enrolled in and affiliated with an ENGAGE.EU partner university are welcome to apply.
Application
To apply for the ENGAGE.EU Expedition+ you should provide:
- A short letter (max. 300 words) explaining your motivation for applying to the ENGAGE.EU Energy Expedition+
• Curriculum vitae (education, work experience, language skills, study/work abroad, other relevant skills and experiences).
All documents must be submitted in English.
Selection
Submitted applications are evaluated by the academic and management staff of the ENGAGE.EU Labs. Candidates will be evaluated based on their motivation letter and CV. To ensure equal participation, the selection committee will aim at choosing three participants from each partner university. Final decisions also consider a range of criteria for cohort composition, including but not limited to disciplinary balance, institutional diversity, and demographic diversity.
Scholarship
Selected students may receive scholarships for participation in the ENGAGE.EU Expedition+. Details will follow from the home university after being selected for the program.
Additional Details
Applications must be submitted by 30.1.2026, at midnight CET.
Results will be communicated by: 20 February 2026
For further information about the Expedition+ program, please contact:
Nina Ingves
Hanken Business Lab, Vaasa
+358 40 6745292
Nina.ingves@hanken.fi