BIP

What is a BIP?

Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) are short, focused Erasmus+ courses that combine a brief physical stay abroad with a compulsory virtual component. Participants meet online to work together on specific tasks and then continue face to face during an intensive week on-site, often using research-based and challenge-based learning.

Erasmus+ is the EU’s exchange programme that enables students to study or gain work experience across Europe. Through BIPs, it also supports short-term mobility linked with online teaching, allowing experts from all partner institutions to take part. Students receive ECTS credits for their participation and can obtain Erasmus+ funding to help cover travel and accommodation costs.

BIP: Social Entrepreneurship from a Regional and International Perspective

Turn your ideas about “doing something good” into a real project!

This course gives you a practical introduction to social entrepreneurship, looking at how mission-driven businesses work both in our region and across Europe. Organized by the Department of Economic and Managerial Studies at Palacký University Olomouc, it is structured as a blended experience: one online session to set the scene, followed by a five-day intensive on-site programme in Olomouc.

During the on-site week, you will join expert-led lectures, guided group discussions and field visits to real social enterprises – so you can see how social impact is created in practice and what it takes to run a mission-driven organisation day to day, from business model and funding to management and growth.

Who is this programme for?

 

  • Bachelor’s students in business, management, economics, law or related fields
  • Students interested in social enterprises, NGOs, community projects, sustainable business or ESG
  • Those who enjoy working in international teams and can study in English (approx. B2 level)

Programme structure & dates

Virtual part (online, before arrival)

  • Date: 13 April 2026

  • One live online kick-off session before the physical week in Olomouc.

  • Introduction to key concepts of social entrepreneurship, explanation of course structure and assignments.

  • Formation of international teams and a small preparatory task to be completed before arrival.

​​​​​​Physical part (on site in Olomouc)

  • Dates: 20–24 April 2026

  • Location: Department of Economic and Managerial Studies, Faculty of Arts, Palacký University OlomoucThe courtyard of the department.

  • Five intensive days combining:

    • expert-led lectures and case studies, guided group discussions and teamwork,

    • field visits to selected social enterprises in the region,

    • Olomouc city tour

    • farewell Czech evening (taste testing, games and chatting)

  • A detailed programme timetable will be published closer to the start of the course.

Credits & workload

  • Credits: 4 ECTS

  • Workload: 

    • active participation in the virtual and on-site components of the course

    • developing answers to the assigned questions and discussing them together within the physical component

    • reflection on field visits to social enterprises (sent after the end of the physical component)

The Caritaska café is part of the Naše Café social enterprise. Since 2013, it has been employing people who have undergone addiction treatment.
The Caritaska café is part of the Naše Café social enterprise. Since 2013, it has been employing people who have undergone addiction treatment.
SoyCa Candle Workshop was founded in Olomouc in 2020 with the aim of offering schools, kindergartens, and the general public creative events where you can make your own candles, bath salts, and soaps.
SoyCa Candle Workshop was founded in Olomouc in 2020 with the aim of offering schools, kindergartens, and the general public creative events where you can make your own candles, bath salts, and soaps.
Galerie Dolní is a shared space in the historic centre of Olomouc that connects art, education and social entrepreneurship, showcasing products and projects of various social enterprises from the region.
Galerie Dolní is a shared space in the historic centre of Olomouc that connects art, education and social entrepreneurship, showcasing products and projects of various social enterprises from the region.

Funding

  • The course is organised as an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme.

  • Students coming from partner universities can receive an Erasmus+ short-term blended mobility grant to support

    • travel costs and

    • living expenses during the physical stay in Olomouc.

  • The exact grant amount and administration are handled by the International Office of the student’s home university.

How to apply

  1. Check eligibility

    • Make sure your home university is a partner of Palacký University Olomouc and can nominate you for this BIP.

    • The course is primarily aimed at Bachelor’s students in business, management, economics, law or related fields.

  2. Nomination by your home university

    • Your Erasmus / international coordinator nominates you for the BIP by sending your name and e-mail address (and those of other nominated students) to marie.sieberova@upol.cz.

    • Nomination deadline: 13 March 2026

  3. Submit your application

    • After nomination, you will receive information on how to apply (application form / link).

    • Application deadline: 27 March 2026

    • You will typically be asked to provide:

      • basic personal and study information,

      • a short motivation statement (e.g. 150–200 words) explaining

        • why you are interested in social entrepreneurship,

        • how this BIP fits your studies and future plans,

        • what you hope to contribute to an international team.

  4. Selection criteria

    • relevance of your field and level of study,

    • quality of motivation statement and interest in social/impact topics,

    • balancing places among partner universities and countries,

    • overall number of available spots (20 students in total).

  5. Confirmation & next steps

    • Selected students will receive a confirmation of acceptance and practical information about travel, accommodation and the online kick-off session.

    • Upon successful completion, you will receive 4 ECTS, a Transcript of Records and a Certificate of Attendance.

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