The Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave (IPCA) will host the RUN-EU Innothon ‘Real-world Perspectives on Smart Cities & Smart Villages’ on 24 and 25 February 2026 at its Barcelos campus, Portugal.

This two-day innovation experience will bring together secondary school and higher education students to collaborate, exchange ideas and co-create solutions for smarter and more sustainable communities. Focused on the themes of Smart Cities and Smart Villages, the Innothon challenges participants to think creatively about how technology, data and citizen engagement can improve the places where we live.

Around 30 students from Barcelinhos Secondary School will join IPCA students to form multidisciplinary teams, encouraging collaboration across different educational levels and fields of study. By working side by side, participants will gain new perspectives and learn from one another in a truly collaborative environment.

The programme begins with an interactive entrepreneurship session, where students will explore how to turn ideas into viable and sustainable projects. This will be followed by a session on Smart Cities led by a coordinator involved in the Smart Cities project of the Municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão, offering practical, real-world insights into how innovation is transforming territories into more efficient, inclusive and connected communities.

On the afternoon of 24 February, teams will dive into a mini challenge, applying what they have learned with the support of mentors from IPCA and partner organisations. Their mission: to design innovative, realistic solutions that respond to the challenges of smart and sustainable community development.

RUN-EU Innothon
Real-world perspectives on Smart Cities & Smart Villages

Date
24 & 25 February 2026

Time
9h30 – 16h30 & 9h30 – 12h30

Mode
Face-to-Face

Target group
Secundary school students

Previous knowledge required
No previous knowledge/experience is required.

It will focus on:

• Smart and Inclusive Mobility
• Urban Management with Sensors and Data
• Strengthening Rural Communities
• Circular Economy in an Urban-Rural Context
• Digital Civic Participation

Coordination
IPCA, Portugal