CIVICA European Week 2026

Designed by IE University, the 2026 CIVICA European Week will focus on European Competitiveness in times of technological transformation and geopolitical pressures. Participants will work together in teams towards designing a new European market framework where European Institutions embark on a journey to boost in European Competitiveness. Students will design a communication strategy to showcase citizens what is needed for the EU to remain a relevant player in the new multipolar world geostrategy. 

The programme combines diverse methodologies and is structured according to a transdisciplinary, multi-scalar and experiential approach: it includes both learning activities such as expert-led lectures and trainings, interactive discussions, mentoring sessions and off-campus experiences such as a visit to the European Commission Office and a group gymkhana, that will allow students to immerse themselves in the rich and vibrant local culture of Madrid.  

All activities are intended to give students the opportunity to build engaging dialogues as well as to work in teams and increase their knowledge.  

The discussions and activities will lead to the creation of a communication strategy and a final presentation related to one of the following themes: 

• Financial markets and the incomplete Capital Markets Union 
• Energy sustainability and efficient energy-climate policies 
• Innovation, connectivity and Europe’s digital transformation 

Participating students will be divided into groups, each supervised by a Mentor who will help students structure their analysis, coordinate their tasks and deliver a clear and persuasive outcome. 

• Monday 22 June 2026: TRAVEL DAY AND WELCOME AT IE UNIVERSITY  
  All Bocconi students will arrive in Madrid (Spain) in the morning and check in to accommodation. In the late afternoon, students will reach the IE University campus (@ IE Tower) where they will attend a presentation of the activities planned for the week, followed by a Welcome dinner.   
   
• Tuesday 23 June 2026: FINANCIAL MARKETS 
  On Tuesday 23 June 2026 morning, students will attend the first lectures on the topics “EU Institutional Ecosystem” and “Financial markets”. In the afternoon, students will be divided into groups and meet their Mentors and then will take part in a guided visit at the European Commission Office. 
   
• Wednesday 24 June 2026: ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY  
  On Wednesday 24 June 2026 morning, students will attend a training on “Public Speaking and Policy Mobilization” followed by a lecture on “Energy Sustainability”. In the afternoon, after the mentoring sessions, students will compete together in a gymkhana through Madrid. 
   
• Thursday 25 June 2026: INNOVATION AND CONNECTIVITY 
  On Thursday 25 June 2026, students will attend the last lecture on “Innovation and Connectivity” and then meet with their Mentors to finalize their group work, in light of the students presentation sessions planned for the last day of the European Week. At the end of the day, students will participate at the Closing event and a cocktail dinner.
   
• Friday 26 June 2026: STUDENTS PRESENTATIONS AND DEPARTURE 
  On Friday 26 June 2026 morning, student teams will present their final work and enjoy a closing lunch together. Bocconi students will then return to Milan in the late afternoon.  

Please note: active participation in all activities planned for 2026 European Week is mandatory, make sure to carefully and responsibly assess your availability for the entire duration of the program. All activities will be in English. Further details on the schedule will be soon uploaded here. 

The European Week 2026 is open to: 

• Bocconi Bachelor students regularly enrolled in the 2nd year in Academic Year 2025/2026   
• WBB students attending the 3rd year of the program at Bocconi in Academic Year 2025/2026  

Apply for the European Week 2026 from your yoU@B diary (yoU@B> International Programs > CIVICA European Week 2025), applications will open on 27/03/2026 at 17:00 CEST and will close on 01/04/2026 at 13:00 CEST. 

You’ll be required to: 

1. Upload your CV in English (PDF format) 
2. Upload a scanned copy of your valid passport or National ID Card 
3. Record a short video-interview through Visiotalent following the instructions you’ll find specified in the application form. 

Please note: 

• The video-interview must be recorded within the abovementioned deadline 
• Incomplete applications will not be considered 

Applicants will be ranked according to: 

• Evaluation of students’ dossier (GPA, ECTS, previous CIVIC engagement/voluntary experiences, proficiency in English) 
• Video Interviews (Motivation, Communication and relational skills, sensitivity to socially responsible citizenship) 

In case the candidate is not considered suitable for the program, he/she will not be selected, regardless of his/her academic performance. 

10 slots are available for Bocconi students; the results of the selection will be communicated via e-mail ideally starting from 10 April 2026. 

Please note that the European Week is a central element of the CIVICA Engage Track. If selected for the European Week 2026, students will be asked to fully commit to the following: 

1. COMPLETE ONE ENGAGE ACTIVITY AT BOCCONI 

• Attend an Engage Course at Bocconi during academic year 2026/2027 
  Please note this requirement can be lifted for BIEM, WBB, BIG and BESS students provided the following courses are passed in Academic Year 2025/2026: 

  - 30056 - EUROPEAN ECONOMIC POLICY for BIEM and WBB students 
  - 30564 - ECONOMICS AND POLITICS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION for BIG students 
  - 30458 - STRATEGIC DECISION MAKING AND MARKETS for BESS students 

OR  

• Participate in the “Dai un senso al tuo profitto/Making sense of your profit” Initiative  
  The “Dai un senso al tuo profitto/Making sense of your profit” initiative, coordinated by Bocconi’s CERGAS research center, allows Bocconi students to carry out a concrete project in social enterprises or for-profit companies with a social focus. Check all details here. 

  2. COMPLETING THE SHOWCASE ASSIGNMENT BEFORE GRADUATION DATE

Participation is free of charge. Students’ participation costs (travel between Milano and Madrid and accommodation in Madrid for 4 nights) will be fully funded by CIVICA, as well as some meals during the week. 

Selected students will receive detailed instructions on how to proceed with travel bookings from the Bocconi CIVICA team. Please note that ex-post refunds are NOT allowed. 

No airport pickups will be organized, students are expected to reach the airport by themselves.  

Accommodation will be provided from Monday 22 June 2026 to Friday 26 June 2026.