The University of Milano-Bicocca opens the call for applications to participate in the INVEST Summer School 2026 “FUTOUR – Future of Sustainable Tourism in Slovakia”, organized within the framework of the European Universities Initiative – INVEST (INnoVations of REgional Sustainability: European UniversiTy Alliance).
The Summer School is coordinated by the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (Slovakia) and will take place in two phases:
- Online phase: from 16 March to 19 April 2026
- On-site phase: from 20 to 24 April 2026, in Nitra (Slovakia)
Objectives and content
The Summer School focuses on the role of sustainability in the future of tourism and local communities. The programme adopts a structured yet dynamic approach, combining an online preparatory phase with an intensive on-site week, fostering collaborative learning and the practical application of knowledge.
The learning experience aims to provide participants with:
- an in-depth understanding of the principles of sustainable tourism, innovation, and territorial development;
- practical tools to address real-world challenges through international teamwork;
- opportunities to develop personal and professional skills in an interdisciplinary and intercultural context.
Planned activities
- Lectures delivered by experts on sustainable tourism and community development
- Interdisciplinary group work on real challenges related to tourism and sustainability
- Multi-stakeholder analysis and case studies
- Workshops on empirical research methods and problem-solving
- Strategic design activities for sustainable tourism development
- Group projects and final presentations
- Cultural and social activities to promote intercultural exchange
Participation grants 3 ECTS credits.
Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the INVEST project.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must be students regularly enrolled in the 2025/2026 academic year at the University of Milano-Bicocca in one of the following degree programmes:
a. Bachelor’s Degree (L-15) – Tourism Sciences and Local Communities
(Department of Sociology and Social Research)
b. Master’s Degree (LM-49) – Tourism, Territory and Local Development
(Department of Sociology and Social Research)
c. Master’s Degree (LM-76) – Tourism Economics (ECOTURS)
(Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods – DEMS)
A B2 level of English proficiency is required.
Required documents
- Curriculum Vitae
- Motivation letter in English (maximum 1,000 words)
Available places
- 5 places reserved for students from the University of Milano-Bicocca.
Application procedure and deadline
Applications must be submitted by 16 February 2026 at 12:00 noon via the Online Student Services (Segreterie Online).