Challenge
Challenge – Our newest project form
In 2022 Sustainalink introduced a new collaborative initiative called "Challenge." This initiative brings together university students from diverse educational backgrounds to collaborate with companies facing sustainability-related challenges. In a Challenge, student groups work to address real-world issues presented by the participating companies. Each Challenge begins with a kick-off event, followed by a period where students independently work in teams, culminating in a final presentation event where they showcase their proposed solutions.
In short, the Challenge concept is based on joint and cross-disciplinary learning, where students and companies exchange knowledge and gain new perspectives on sustainability issues.
Are you a student and curious about the next Challenge? Register your interest through the button below to get an invite when as soon as the application to our next Challenge is open.
Previous Challenges
So far, four Challenges have been held, each with a different theme. In the most recent round, 24 students from 15 different programs across the four universities and university colleges in Skåne participated. In interdisciplinary groups, they assisted Ecolean, Foodtel, Vandra of Sweden, and Fika Berga with challenges ranging from ways to reuse food at risk of becoming waste to investigating Europeans’ attitudes toward plastic-packaged food. This Challenge was carried out in collaboration with Sparbanken Syd.
In the autumn of 2023, the Challenge was held in Kristianstad, also in collaboration with Sparbanken Syd. Nearly 20 students from Kristianstad University, SLU Alnarp, Malmö University, and Lund University worked with four companies on challenges related to the UN’s global sustainability goals. The participating companies were Jobbarenan, YinTorp, Ateljé Lyktan, and Kristianstad Golf Club.
2022 was a year full of Challenges - 28 students from 20 programs participated, who in interdisciplinary groups helped nine companies with sustainability challenges. During the spring, the students took on challenges linked to circularity and during the autumn the focus was on sustainable leadership. The events were arranged with Leader Skånes Ess and Leader Söderslätt respectively. Participating companies at the event were Tryde 1303, Nordfrö, Svensk Hampaindustri, Tvärpilen, Stora Juleboda, Mylla Mat, Smygehus havsbad, Grönby byalag, Foteviken and Sparbanken Skurup.
What can the projects be about?
Previous Challenges have addressed topics such as sustainable material choices, communicating sustainability efforts, analyzing new customer segments, sustainable tourism, and practical issues such as methods for managing grass clippings. We design each project in close collaboration with participating companies, ensuring that it aligns with their unique sustainability goals. A defining feature of a Challenge is that it harnesses the diverse perspectives of an interdisciplinary student team, generating innovative solutions.
Who can participate in a Challenge?
The same applies here as in Sustainalink’s other projects: we collaborate with Scanian companies, associations, and organizations seeking fresh perspectives on their sustainability efforts. Students from all universities in Skåne are warmly welcomed. Our Challenges are conducted in English, though perfect pronunciation is certainly not required. Our goal is to encourage as many as possible to join and contribute!
Company experiences from previous Challenges
Companies that have participated in past Challenge events have shared that they gained valuable new insights into their own operations and were impressed by the students' ability to produce impactful results within a short timeframe.
Students' experiences from previous Challenges
The students have valued the opportunity to collaborate with peers from diverse educational backgrounds and appreciated the chance to apply their knowledge in a practical setting.
