SHORT ADVANCED PROGRAMME
Green Growth – Circular Entrepreneurship in a Sustainable Society
8 January 2025
The Short Advanced Programme (SAP) ‘Green Growth – Circular Entrepreneurship in a Sustainable Society’ is jointly coordinated by the NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (NHL Stenden), and the Polytechnic University of Leiria (IPLeiria).
This SAP is about striving for economic growth and business success in a way that protects our planet and helps create a sustainable, self-sufficient society. It focuses on entrepreneurship skills, knowledge, and development. In a good programmatic mix, participating students are challenged to gain insights and develop solutions for a more circular society. Work is done on assignments from industry and/or innovations that students themselves want to respond to.
The programme dives into the challenges of the Frisian Region in the North of the Netherlands with a focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) businesses. Issues of entrepreneurs and employers are faced and employers’ associations and supporting institutions contribute to the topic. Local authorities guide us to feasible innovations.
Questions are answered: What is circular business? Why is giving direction to sustainable growth important for a society heavily affected by a shortage of raw materials, ample and human capital? Re-use, recycling, reduce and repair are familiar concepts, but how does the entrepreneur deal with them? And no less important; how can the new young professional make a substantive contribution to a greener society after their studies? Students will also encounter questions and inspirations like:
- Knowing; who am I as an entrepreneur and innovator?
- What is sustainable business, what is the role of circularity in it?
- Understand the importance of a sustainable society?
- Analysing the effect and impact of circular solutions.
- Creating solutions and innovations for a more sustainable society.
Date
14 March to 4 April 2025
Face-to-face week
From 31 March to 4 April 2025, at NHL Stenden in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
Mode of delivery
Blended
Language of instruction
English
2 ECTS credits
Academic recognition
To be defined by each Higher Education Institution.
Generally, most students will have this SAP certified in their Diploma Supplement, as a minimal condition.
Eligible participants
All RUN-EU Students of EQF level 5 to cycle 8 with a strong interest in innovation within SME entrepreneurship and sustainability-focused on a circular society. In terms of English language proficiency, students should have at least Level B2.
How to apply
Fill in the application form
Deadline for applications
7 February 2025


Learning outcomes
By the end of this Short Advanced Programme, students will be able to:
- Identify, using the characteristics of the Entrepreneurial Mindset, what entrepreneurial competencies they possess and how these competencies can be further strengthened.
- Explain the 17 SDGs / 5 IDGs and place the importance of circular entrepreneurship within them.
- Work with the Design Based Education method in groups and effectively (in the context of Circular and Sustainable Entrepreneurship) on real-life case studies.
- Analyse regional business processes systematically (using the CircoTrack Method) to identify circular opportunities and possibilities.
- Work together in an intercultural and multidisciplinary environment on circular or sustainable innovations that make an impact.
- Use the Design Thinking Method to think critically and creatively and then apply problem-solving skills.
- To be able to pitch the outcomes of their research convincingly.
- To employ critical reflection tools through DBE when assessing their own performance and learning.
Selection criteria
Joint Selection Procedure and Criteria
Maximum Number of Students: 35
Scholarships
The selected students will receive travel grants based on the travel distance and the subsistence costs in the country the SAP is offered in:
Ireland – The Netherlands: €862
Portugal – The Netherlands: €862
Finland – The Netherlands: €862
Austria – The Netherlands: €862
Spain – The Netherlands: €862
Belgium – The Netherlands: €764
Coordination
NHL Stenden, The Netherlands
IPLeiria, Portugal
Contact SAP.GreenGrowth@nhlstenden.com if you have any further questions.