Sustainability Champions initiative: first groups meeting

According to the MSCA European project guidelines, the Esperanto project embraces and encourages a sustainability-conscious approach; but an ethical and socially responsible approach can be a competitive advantage for even the most forward-looking companies.

The SustainabilityChampions Initiative is an effective vehicle for demonstrating a stronger and more proactive industry commitment to sustainable development through the recognition of research as an added value and investment in the future.

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAMME CONSIST OF?

Esperanto students will work in 3 teams of 4 or 5 students on an industrial product, under the supervision of one industrial partner and one academic partner in the ESPERANTO project (detailed attached):

• Team 1 on custom earphones with Logitech and Université de Haute Alsace
• Team 2 on ink-jet inks with SICPA and PCCL
• Team 3 on self-cleaning paints with KAYALAR and EPFL

The objective for ESPERANTO DCs will be to imagine, design and analyze those products according to sustainability metrics and identify actions to improve its sustainability. In this phase, visits to the R&D departments and production facilities of the industrial mentors will be planned.

The initiative will enable DCs to get involved and apply the basics of sustainability and the circular economy, life cycle costing, LCA, product development and commercialization learnt during ESPERANTO training events.

SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPIONS EVENTS AND DEADLINES

• March-April 2025:First interactions (online) between groups and the industrial and academic mentors to define the objective and main tasks for each group member.
• 11 / 12 June 2025: the challenge officially starts with a first workshop hosted at EPFL in Lausanne during which each group presents and discuss their objective and work plan.
• Every 3 months (suggested): online meetings between your group and the industrial and academic mentors to discuss the progress and set the next steps.
• Fall 2026: second workshop during which each group will present their final results (location and dates to be decided in time) +  final prize.

The programme of the first workshop at EPFL will soon be available online, on this page.