Last December, the Mons campus of UCLouvain was buzzing with Entrepreneurial Change-Making, an intensive course organised as part of the European Circle U. alliance. For several days, students from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines came together to learn, create and imagine entrepreneurial solutions for change.
From the very first workshops, the atmosphere set the tone: dynamic, supportive and collaborative. Divided into international and multidisciplinary teams, the participants worked on concrete projects addressing major contemporary challenges: green transition, sustainable innovation, responsible entrepreneurship and societal impact. Here, we don’t just talk about ideas, we test them, confront them with reality and develop them.
Throughout the week, students explored key topics such as business modelling, the art of pitching, entrepreneurial mindset, critical thinking and the use of new technologies and artificial intelligence to develop sustainable solutions. The objectives were clear: to learn how to design viable projects that incorporate measurable sustainability indicators such as SDGs or ESG criteria.
The teaching method, based on an active and collaborative approach, greatly contributed to the richness of the experience. Between workshops, group work, discussions with teachers and informal moments, everyone was able to find their place, dare to suggest, test, make mistakes and progress.
The highlight of the week was the final pitch sessions, where teams presented their projects to a jury. It was a demanding yet stimulating experience, marked by creative ideas, committed proposals and a great deal of enthusiasm. The feedback allowed everyone to realise how far they had come in just a few days.
To extend this experience, the students then took part in a company visit to Domaine du Chant d’Éole, Belgium’s largest vineyard. The programme included a meeting with the CEO, a tour of the production facility, product tasting and a convivial meal. It was an inspiring immersion in an iconic local company, combining entrepreneurship, innovation and regional roots, which perfectly echoed the themes addressed throughout the week.
