Very few events leave a lasting mark not only on those who take part, but also on those who bring them to life. The EELISA Student-led Bootcamp is one of those rare experiences. Born from the initiative, creativity, and commitment of the EELISA Student Council, the first EELISA Student-led Bootcamp became a space where ideas turned into friendships, challenges became opportunities for learning and collaboration across borders.
Following the success of this inaugural edition, the second EELISA Student-led Bootcamp will take place 8–10 November 2026 at ZHAW – Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Winterthur, Switzerland. Once again, students from across the EELISA Alliance will come together for an intensive, hands-on learning experience designed by students, for students.
Taking the shape of a three-day hackathon, the event will bring together multidisciplinary teams to tackle a real challenge: developing innovative and sustainable ways to track, reduce, and repurpose the daily flow of consumables and physical resources on university campuses.
Participants will collaborate with peers from different countries and disciplines, applying their knowledge to a real-world challenge while strengthening key transversal skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and intercultural collaboration. Throughout the three days, they will also engage with the EELISA values of sustainability, ethics, social inclusion, and responsible innovation.
EELISA Students during the first edition of the EELISA Student-led Bootcamp (Istanbul Technical University, 2025)
For many participants, what makes the EELISA Student-led Bootcamp memorable is not only the challenge itself, but the way it is approached. Reflecting on the first edition, Sebastian Tröster, a student at FAU Erlangen, recalls: “Participating in the Student-led Bootcamp was a particularly unique and inspiring experience. Students approach topics differently, often with more openness, curiosity, and a strong focus on understanding each other as people.”
The student-led nature of the initiative is also what inspired Sonia Maer, a student at Politehnica of Bucharest and member of the EELISA Student Council, while helping organise the first edition: “Organising the first Student-led Bootcamp at a partner university, rather than my own, challenged me to step outside my comfort zone. Collaborating with a new local team in an international environment broadened my perspective, strengthened my teamwork and leadership skills, and highlighted the value of different working styles. These lessons have inspired the second edition, with an even stronger focus on collaboration and meaningful learning experiences.”
For Inês Roquero, member of the EELISA Central Office and a key person supporting the organization of the event, this bootcamp also represents the maturity of student collaboration within the Alliance: “The first edition of the EELISA Student-led Bootcamp marked the culmination of nearly four years of student collaboration across the Alliance, bringing a shared vision to life in a tangible way. It was truly inspiring to witness so many students committed to building bridges across cultures, disciplines, and borders. Building on that momentum, we are launching the second edition. The students’ passion and commitment demonstrate the strength of European collaboration and leave me optimistic about the lasting impact EELISA can have on the next generation.”
More than an event, the EELISA Student-led Bootcamp is an invitation to co-create, experiment, and learn together. It offers students the opportunity to connect beyond disciplines and borders while contributing to more sustainable and inclusive universities—and to become part of an experience that continues to resonate long after the final challenge has ended.
