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Join a 48-hour journey of innovation, collaboration, and impact to tackle global challenges!

Friday 28th February – Sunday 2nd March in Lancaster University Management School

What is ECOChallenge?

ECOChallenge is LUSU Green’s flagship sustainability innovation challenge, delivered in partnership with Work in Progress and the 9 Colleges! Join students, sustainability experts, and innovation mentors in an exciting, action-packed, 48-hour journey to tackle global challenges and make a difference. 

This isn’t just any challenge—it’s an immersive experience that will sharpen your skills, connect you with like-minded peers, and ignite your passion for innovation and sustainability.

 

Your Journey

Across this 48-hour challenge, you can expect to:  

Collaborate and Innovate: Work with students in your college and receive guidance from sustainability and innovation experts from across the University  

Form Ideas: Identify a real-world sustainability problem that matters to you. 

Develop Solutions: Leverage design thinking and problem-solving techniques used by leading organizations like Google and Meta to build and refine your ideas, aligning them with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

Pitch Your Idea: Present your solution to a panel of prestigious judges. 

Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or just passionate about sustainability, ECOChallenge is for everyone. 

 

What's in it for you?

Belonging & Community: Be part of a vibrant community, and build friendships with like-minded people  

Skill Development: Sharpen skills in leadership, innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and sustainability. Strengthen your ability to create practical, grassroots-level SDG solutions while participating in a dynamic, hands-on experience. 

Career Development: Gain recognition, new skills, and expand your professional network of contacts. 

Impact and Rewards: Gain 15 Lancaster Award points and an official participation certificate to boost your CV with demonstrable experience in sustainability, innovation, and teamwork, enhancing your career prospects.  

Keep the momentum going! Post-challenge support from Work In Progress will help you bring your idea to life. 

And yes, there’s £100 in prize money for the winning team! 

 

Event Schedule*

Friday, 28th February 

📍 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM | LUMS Breakout Spaces 2 & 3 

  • Kickstart your journey by identifying key sustainability challenges impacting our University. 

  • Collaborate with your peers to brainstorm innovative solutions. 

  • Network with fellow participants and connect with mentors and experts. 

Saturday, 1st March 

📍 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | LUMS Breakout Spaces 2 & 3 

  • Dive into your chosen idea and refine it using cutting-edge innovation tools. 

  • Gain valuable insights and guidance from sustainability and innovation mentors. 

  • Develop a prototype to bring your vision to life. 

  • Craft and rehearse a compelling presentation to showcase your solution. 

Sunday, 2nd March 

📍 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | All spaces (LUMS LT 15, LT 18, Breakout Spaces 2 & 3) 

  • Step into the spotlight and pitch your idea to an esteemed panel of judges. 

  • Share your solution with fellow competitors and celebrate your progress. 

 

*Note: The schedule and timings may be subject to slight changes prior to the event. Refreshments will be provided at multiple points throughout the event including tea, coffee, and snacks. Please bring your own packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday, along with any snacks. We recommend bringing a reusable cup for hot drinks. 

 

Student Voices from ECOChallenge 2024

Hear from past participants about their incredible journey through ECOChallenge. From gaining valuable skills to forging lasting connections, these quotes reflect the transformative and rewarding experience awaiting you. 

 

  • ‘ECO Challenge was a great experience to be a part of. I’ve met new people from different courses who provided a different perspective to the one I had; it was fun working with them and it was a great way to practice the soft skills I have developed during my time at the university!’ 

 

  • ‘ECOChallenge is not only about a competition to win a prize but also the way you deal with yourself to work with people from different backgrounds and learn to become more initiative and think out of the box.’  

 

  • ‘It’s really inspiring to be surrounded by so many passionate people with great ideas and it makes you want to do better. Definitely cultivated a healthy sense of competition and community.’ 

 

Ready to take on the Challenge?

Don’t miss out! Sign up today and be part of the change 

Register Now - ECOChallenge 2025 Student Registration Form 

 

If you have any questions, please contact LUSU Green (lusugreen@lancaster.ac.uk) 

 

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