U!REKA Connects 2026 at Polytechnic University of Lisbon

More than 350 participants from 11 countries gathered in Lisbon for U!REKA Connects 2026, the annual conference of the U!REKA European University, hosted this year by the Polytechnic University of Lisbon as a member of the alliance.

Over three days, from 23 to 25 June 2026, the Lisbon School of Education (ESELx), the Lisbon School of Communication and Media Studies (ESCS) and the Lisbon School of Music (ESML) welcomed working meetings, plenary sessions, workshops and networking activities focused on pedagogical innovation, sustainability, research, inclusion, internationalisation and European cooperation.

By hosting U!REKA Connects 2026, the Polytechnic University of Lisbon reinforced its commitment to internationalisation, European collaboration and the joint development of solutions to the challenges facing higher education and sustainable development. The next edition will take place in Frankfurt, Germany, in June 2027.

Under the theme "From Ideas to Action: Building Urban Solutions", researchers, academics, professional staff and students from all partner universities took part in 21 workshops and presented 70 contributions showcasing the work carried out over the past two and a half years within the alliance. These covered joint educational programmes, collaborative research and innovative solutions designed to support local ecosystems and co-create smarter, more inclusive and sustainable cities.

According to Maria João Centeno, Vice-President for U!REKA, the event further consolidates U!REKA as a vibrant and dynamic community, driven by interinstitutional partnerships, inspiring stories of collaboration and bold ideas for education, research and engagement with society.

The opening session, held at the Lisbon School of Communication and Media Studies, featured a welcome address by António Belo, President of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon. He highlighted the significance of hosting the U!REKA community in Lisbon, describing the conference as an opportunity for dialogue, collaboration and joint action among partner institutions. Referring to Lisbon as a city historically shaped by the meeting of people, ideas and cultures, he stressed that, within U!REKA, this spirit translates into the co-creation of smarter, more sustainable, inclusive and people-centred cities.

During his address, António Belo also highlighted the alliance's achievements over recent years, including stronger cooperation between institutions, expanded mobility opportunities, pedagogical innovation and collaborative research. He underlined the importance of transforming university-generated knowledge into tangible benefits for cities and communities through sustainable solutions and the sharing of best practices.

The organisation of the conference was also supported by Polytechnic University of Lisbon students holding activity scholarships, who contributed to welcoming participants and assisting throughout the three-day programme.

Alongside the academic programme, participants had the opportunity to experience Portuguese culture through a traditional arraial, featuring the Marcha de Benfica, and a performance by Sabes, the academic tuna of the Lisbon School of Education.

U!REKA Connects 2026 concluded at the Lisbon School of Music with the U!REKA Awards Ceremony, recognising outstanding projects and initiatives developed within the European alliance.

The awards were sponsored by APIP – Portuguese Plastics Industry Association, an event partner that also presented the Sustainable Plastics Mobilising Agenda and showcased the collaborative work being carried out in Portugal to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for a more circular economy.

In this edition, the Co-Creation Award was presented to the project U!REKA Joint Master – Commercialization and Management of Clean Technologies, the Boldness Award to GrEAt! – Grey Energy Atlas, and the Inclusion Award to the Students and Organizers of Frankfurt U!REKA Week. The awards were converted into donations to charitable organisations, respectively Cáritas Leiria, the Leiria Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the InPulsar Community Development Association.

The conference concluded with a jazz concert performed by students from the Lisbon School of Music, under the direction of Lars Arens.

Flickr photos from the U!REKA Connects 2026 album.