ENGAGE.EU Lab Activities
Four types of activities to make a social impact
The ENGAGE.EU labs are physical spaces dedicated to collaboration and experimentation, where ideas and people come together to bring Lab Activities to life. These four formats bring together students from the Graduate and Undergraduate School, researchers, academic staff, mentors, and external partners to co-create innovative solutions within the Impact Pathway.
The journey begins with the Collaboration Circle, where participants start with a social challenge and shape it into a clear, focused research question. This then serves as the launchpad for Expedition+, an intensive week-long in-person event where teams devise an innovative solution to the identified challenge. The solution is then developed in the Impact Catalyst Studio, which combines lessons on European funding with practical sessions led by associated partners to transform the idea into a structured, presentable project. And if the idea shows potential for growth, the Entrepreneurial Pathways guide it towards incubators and accelerators at ENGAGE.EU partner universities, paving the way for new opportunities.
You can choose to take part in the entire journey or join individual initiatives, depending on your interests and goals.
Taking part in these activities offers an experience that truly enriches your journey: you’ll work on mission-driven projects with real impact, expand your international network, experiment with new approaches and methods, and experience significant personal and professional growth.
It’s an unmissable opportunity for anyone who wants to be more than just a bystander – to be a key player in driving change.
Discover the Impact Pathways
The Collaboration Circle is the ideal starting point if you want to enter the world of co-creation. In small, interdisciplinary groups, you'll work with local stakeholders to map out a social issue, understand real needs, and define priorities together.
What will you do?
Active listening with real stakeholders
Analysing the context and needs
Jointly defining the challenge
Initial ideas and directions for the work
What will you develop by taking part?
The ability to work with a diverse range of people
Facilitation and problem-framing skills
A clearer view of the social challenges in your area
A first step on the ENGAGE.EU innovation journey
Mobility format
Virtual - 3 online workshops to clearly define a real problem.
Who it's for
Graduate and undergraduate students
Expedition+ is an immersive experience: a true European bootcamp for social innovation. Starting with a real-world challenge, you’ll go through every stage from the initial idea to creating a prototype solution.
What will you do?
Field visits and meetings with stakeholders
Design thinking, brainstorming, rapid prototyping
Testing ideas with real users
Final presentation to experts and partners
What will you gain by participating?
A high-impact international experience
Practical skills in innovation and design
A European network of students and professionals
A prototype that can evolve into a real project
Mobility format
In-person – an intensive week spent together devising innovative solutions to a social challenge.
Who it's for
Graduate students
Impact Catalyst Studio is where ideas turn into projects. Here, you'll work in interdisciplinary teams to develop tangible solutions based on evidence, data, and ongoing dialogue with stakeholders.
What will you do?
In-depth analysis of the problem
Developing concepts and intervention models
Validation with experts and communities
Preparation for the implementation phase
What will you gain by participating?
Advanced design skills
Real-world experience working with external partners
A fully developed project, ready for testing
Skills applicable to research, policy, and innovation
Mobility format
Virtual - 8 online sessions, both theoretical and practical, where ideas are transformed into projects with European potential
Who it's for
Graduate students
Do you have an idea that could become a startup, a service, or an innovative policy? This programme helps you bring it to market or into society, with support from European mentors, experts, and partners.
What will you do?
Business modelling and impact modelling
Feasibility analysis
Meetings with investors, incubators, and stakeholders
Preparing the pitch and the implementation roadmap
Mobility opportunities at incubators and accelerators of ENGAGE.EU partner universities
What will you develop by taking part?
An entrepreneurial mindset
Tools to turn an idea into reality
Access to European innovation networks
Opportunities to continue the project beyond the university
Mobility format
In-person – online and in-person events focused on innovation, pitching, and sharing best practices.
Who it's for
Graduate students
ENGAGE.EU
Email: engage.eu@luiss.it
Tel: 06 85225511 / 5414
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday, 10 am to 12 pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 10 am–12 pm / 3 pm–4 pm