2024 European Cities Challenge: Exploring Inclusive Communities
The Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé (NTU) European Cities Challenge is a student-led extracurricular project initiated by NTU Global in 2019. Participants travel to various European cities using sustainable transport to research effective and innovative practices.
These practices are then brought back to their communities with the engagement of local councils. Sustainability and community are at the heart of the challenge, with each iteration focusing on a different theme shaped by council needs.
The theme of NTU Global’s annual European Cities Challenge for 2024 was inclusive communities. 48 NTU students, guided by 10 academic mentors, considered the question: how do we create and maintain inclusive communities?
Mansfield, Ashfield, and Bolsover were thriving communities built around successful mining and textile industries. The closure of these industries had a huge impact on employment, identity, and community. These areas are now undergoing exciting regeneration and levelling up programmes.
The three District Councils tasked our students and academics with recommending innovative and transformative projects based on places and initiatives visited in Europe, to create thriving inclusive communities. Given that many of the students live in one of the three districts and/or study at our Mansfield Hub, they offered valuable insights into the specific challenges and needs of these areas.
European Inclusive Communities Challenge Showcase Event
The student and mentor teams focused on the following sub-themes:
- Health inequalities
- Community engagement
- Industrial past, net zero future
- Inclusivity through activity and sports
- AI and digital technology exclusion and poverty
- Inclusive spaces
- Homelessness and housing
- Implications of Net Zero
The students and mentors travelled across Europe during the Easter break, beginning their journey in Lille, France, and then taking pre-determined routes into different countries including Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium to conduct their research. They were joined in Lille by NTU Global staff and representatives from the three District Councils.
The shared historical context between Lille and Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé made the former an ideal starting point for the expedition. During their stay, the group explored notable sites such as the Lewarde Mining History Centre and the Louvre-Lens Museum.
Additionally, Lille Catholic University, a longstanding partner of NTU, graciously welcomed the group on their beautiful campuses with a presentation on Inclusive Communities, delivered by Dr. Laure Liénard. The staff and academics from Lille Catholic University also organised several thematic workshops to help the group understand the similar struggles they are facing in their local areas, as well as the best practices they have implemented to overcome them.
Reflecting on the experience, Emily Daniels, a student from BA (Hons) Social Work, shared: “The research week was filled with great educational opportunities, networking, and the exploration of new and vibrant cities, and their communities. A massive thank you to NTU Global for their support and dedication to this challenge and their students.”
One of the most significant benefits has been the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of universities and practitioners. The challenge has also opened up new avenues for project work. Our team have received an offer to participate in community-based projects and advisory roles with Mansfield Council, specifically focusing on inclusive public space design initiatives.
Massey Nazarian, Senior Lecturer at the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
To present their recommendations with the three District Councils, the students produced A1 information posters and delivered 3-minute pitches at our prestigious Showcase event on Wednesday 22nd May at the Mansfield Hub.
The showcase was attended by Stephen Williams, Director of NTU Global, and Jeremy Hague, Director of Knowledge Exchange, along with Chris Fridlington and Teresa Garrod (Bolsover District Council), Cllr Matt Relf and CEO Theresa Hodgkinson (Ashfield District Council), Deputy Mayor Craig Whitby and Leon Dale (Mansfield District Council), and Pro Vice-Chancellor Richard Emes.
Theresa Hodgkinson commended the students for their thorough, clear action plans, and strong recommendations, many of which could be implemented by the councils.
The winning poster and pitch were created and delivered by Team Lucy, whose theme was “Industrial Past, Net Zero Future.” Their project was praised for its excellence presentation, strong research, and its potential to be implemented by all three district councils, addressing the skills gap and encouraging business investments in local areas.
If you are a NTU colleague interested in becoming a mentor for our next challenge, please email faye.martin@ntu.ac.uk.
NTU Global European Inclusive Communities Challenge
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