As part of the Erasmus+ mobility program (BIP), students from the University of Aspira, together with students from the University of Maribor (Slovenia) and Toulouse (France), participated in the “Greener Festival, Brighter Futures” education event held from November 11 to 15 at the University of Business in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The program brought together students from various countries, providing them with the opportunity to develop and implement innovative, sustainable approaches to organizing sports festivals.
Students from the University of Aspira were accompanied by their lecturer Josip Radić, the head of international relations office, and lecturer Bepo Žura, the coordinator for the sports management program. Over the course of five days, participants explored ways to integrate sustainability into sports event management through lectures, workshops, and group work, with a focus on reducing the environmental impact of such events.
A central moment of the program took place on November 13, when students had the opportunity to participate in a basketball game between Cluj-Napoca and Latvia at the BT Arena. This event allowed students to apply the knowledge they had gained about sports event organization in a practical setting while observing how sustainability can be implemented in sports events.
On the final day, November 15, students presented their innovative ideas and sustainable concepts to a panel of experts, consisting of professionals from the sports festival and event management industry. This presentation provided students with the chance to showcase their creative approaches to sustainable event organization and receive valuable feedback from experts.
Throughout the program, participants also had the opportunity to explore the city of Cluj-Napoca, experience Romanian culture, and establish professional connections that will be valuable for future projects. The Erasmus+ mobility experience in Romania was an excellent opportunity for students professional development, allowing them to acquire new knowledge about sustainable management while enriching their personal experiences through international collaboration and cultural exchange.
