General Information

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1) What is the European University Festival?

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The European University Festival is a European platform dedicated to academic research, innovation and concrete solutions addressing climate change and global environmental challenges.

The initiative connects universities, institutions, researchers and international partners within a structured European framework designed to transform academic research into real-world impact.

The platform will be officially launched in Turin on 21 May 2026.

The Final Phase of the European University Festival will take place in May 2027 in Turin, bringing together selected universities and projects from across Europe.

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2) What is the mission of the Festival?

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The mission of the Festival is to transform university research into real impact by supporting projects with high scientific, social and environmental value.

Through international visibility, institutional collaboration and dedicated funding mechanisms, the Festival aims to connect universities, institutions and industry in order to develop scalable climate solutions.

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3) What is the theme of the Festival?

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The inaugural cycle of the Festival focuses on Climate Change, addressing its scientific, environmental, cultural, economic and social implications.

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4) Under which institutional patronage is the Festival held?

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The Festival is held under the High Patronage of the European Parliament, a recognition that highlights its institutional value and European dimension.

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5) Why was Turin selected as the host city?

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Turin represents one of Europe’s historic centers of scientific and industrial innovation.

The city and its surrounding area also host one of the most significant meteorological and climatological traditions in Europe.

Historical meteorological observations in the Turin area date back to the mid-18th century, with temperature records starting in 1753, precipitation records from 1802 and snowfall records from 1787.

Particularly significant is the historic meteorological station of Moncalieri, active since 1865 at the Real Collegio Carlo Alberto, representing one of Italy’s longest continuous climate observation series and an important reference point for the study of European climate evolution.

This heritage makes Turin a scientifically and symbolically coherent location for a Festival dedicated to climate change.

Festival Venue

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6) Where will the Final Phase of the Festival take place?

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The Final Phase of the European University Festival will take place in Turin in May 2027, in iconic locations in the historic city center.

Further details on venues and program locations will be announced during the official presentation.

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Official Launch

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7) When will the Festival be officially launched?

The official launch of the European University Festival platform will take place on 21 May 2026 in Turin.

The event will mark the opening of the European Call for Universities.

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Call for Universities

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8) When will the Call for Universities open?

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The official European Call for Universities will open on 21 May 2026.

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9) What is the project submission period?

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Universities may submit projects from 21 May 2026 until 30 November 2026 (23:59 CET).

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10) Who can participate?

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Recognized European universities, higher education institutions and academic research teams may submit projects addressing climate change and global sustainability challenges.

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11) Which thematic areas are included?

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Projects may fall within one of the following areas:

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• Science & Environment
• Art & Cultural Innovation
• Sustainable Gastronomy
• Sport & Sustainability

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Interdisciplinary and scalable projects at the European level are strongly encouraged.

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12) How does the selection process work?

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The process includes several stages of independent scientific evaluation.

Up to 150 projects may be selected across Europe during the initial evaluation phase.

From these projects, 24 finalist universities will be invited to Turin for the Final Phase of the Festival in May 2027.

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13) When will the finalists be announced?

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The 24 finalists will be officially announced in March 2027.

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14) Is participation free for universities?

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Yes. Participation in the European University Festival is free of charge for universities.

Selected institutions may present their projects without registration fees.

Any logistical expenses not directly related to the selection process may be communicated separately by the organization.

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Participation Details

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15) Do universities need to travel to Turin to participate?

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No. Participation in the initial selection phase is entirely online.

Universities submit their projects through the official European Call.

Only the 24 finalist institutions will be invited to present their projects in person during the Final Phase of the Festival in Turin in May 2027.

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16) Can students participate in the Call?

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Yes.

Student teams may participate provided they are formally affiliated with a recognised university or higher education institution.

Applications must be submitted by a faculty member, researcher or academic representative using an institutional email address.

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17) Can universities submit more than one project?

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Yes.

Each institution may submit multiple projects, including interdisciplinary proposals.

However, the Scientific Committee may limit the number of projects selected per institution in order to ensure balanced European representation.

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18) What type of projects are most likely to be selected?

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Projects that demonstrate:

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• measurable environmental impact
• strong scientific or methodological foundation
• innovative and scalable solutions
• interdisciplinary collaboration
• clear contribution to climate mitigation or adaptation

are more likely to be selected.

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The Festival encourages projects capable of generating practical and scalable solutions to climate challenges.

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19) What happens to selected projects after the Festival?

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Selected projects may enter a structured development pathway within the European Platform for Climate Innovation.

This may include:

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• institutional visibility
• connections with industrial partners
• access to the European University Climate Action Fund
• opportunities for further collaboration and implementation

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20) Is the Festival only for European universities?

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The Call is primarily addressed to European universities and academic institutions.

However, the Festival welcomes international collaboration, and global partners may participate through research partnerships, institutional cooperation and media involvement.

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Global Concert for Climate Action

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21) What is the Global Concert for Climate Action?

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The Global Concert for Climate Action is the major international media event associated with the Festival.

It will take place in Turin during the Final Phase of the Festival in May 2027.

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22) What is the significance of the Global Concert?

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The Concert represents the international broadcast moment of the Festival, combining culture, music and institutional engagement to promote climate action and academic innovation.

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23) How will the proceeds of the Global Concert be used?

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Net proceeds generated by the event will contribute to the European University Climate Action Fund, supporting the implementation of selected university projects.

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Scientific Committee

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24) Who composes the Scientific Committee of the Festival?

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Guest of Honour:

Professor Michael Oppenheimer
Climatologist at Princeton University and former member of the IPCC (Nobel Peace Prize 2007).

Members of the Scientific Committee include internationally recognised experts in climate science, sustainability, innovation and culture.

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25) What is the role of the Scientific Committee?

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The Scientific Committee ensures the independent evaluation of submitted projects, defines methodological criteria and contributes to the scientific and cultural direction of the Festival.

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Governance and Transparency

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26) Who promotes the Festival?

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The Festival is promoted by the Union of European Experts Chambers (UCEE), a non-profit NGO accredited in the European Union Transparency Register.

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27) How is transparency ensured?

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Transparency is ensured through the separation of scientific evaluation, operational management and financial administration, with clear criteria and dedicated reporting mechanisms.

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28) What is the European University Climate Action Fund?

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It is the financial instrument dedicated to supporting the concrete implementation of selected university projects.

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Partnerships and Media

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29) Is the Festival open to institutional and corporate partnerships?

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Yes.

The Festival develops partnerships with companies, foundations, institutions and international organizations committed to climate innovation and sustainability.

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Official Contact

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30) How can I contact the organization?

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For all inquiries (universities, institutions, media, partnerships and general information):

info@europeanuniversityfestival.eu

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Additional Participation Questions

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31) Can projects that are already ongoing be submitted?

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Yes.

The Festival particularly encourages the submission of projects that are already under development, being tested or implemented within universities.

The objective of the platform is to accelerate and amplify existing academic research capable of generating measurable impact on climate and environmental challenges.

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32) Are multidisciplinary projects encouraged?

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Yes.

Climate change is a complex global challenge that requires interdisciplinary solutions.

Projects combining fields such as:

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• environmental science
• engineering and technology
• economics and public policy
• culture and communication
• food systems and sustainability
• sports and social engagement

are strongly encouraged.

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Collaborations between different faculties or institutions are also welcome.

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33) Does participation create intellectual property obligations?

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No.

Universities retain full ownership of their intellectual property and research results.

Participation in the Festival does not require the transfer of patents, research rights or proprietary knowledge.

The Festival platform is designed to facilitate visibility, dialogue and collaboration while respecting academic independence.