Background of Summer School / Introduction
The summer school is a Blended Intensive Program, co-funded by Erasmus+, which includes a virtual component (1 day, 24th June 2026) and a physical mobility (8 days, from 5th to 12th July 2026) at the premises of the Alpine Studies Centre. The language of the summer school is English.
Hosting University
University of Tuscia (UniTus)
Venue
Alpine Study Centre located in Pieve Tesino, Via Rovigo, 7, 38050, TN, Italy
Date
24th June 2026 (virtual component) + 5th to 12th July 2026 (8 days physical mobility)
Participants
25
Previous Knowledge
No Previous Knowledge are required from participants
Course Content
The Summer School is based on an interactive programme of lectures, seminars, field visits and workgroups to explore key issues linked to the sustainability of food systems.
The major thematic topics reflect the four-pillar approach of the Farm-to-Fork EU strategy, thus combining sustainability of production, food processing and distribution, sustainable consumption styles and prevention of food waste.
Intended Learning Outcome (ILO)
After completing the course, the participants should be able to:
- understand the principles and key characteristics of sustainability in food systems and agri-food supply chains, as well as the main strategies for their improvement;
- apply the concept of sustainability to real agri-food supply chains through field visits and case study analysis;
- collect, organize, and interpret relevant data needed to assess the sustainability of food systems;
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of food systems in terms of economic, environmental, and social sustainability;
- analyze different organizational models of agri-food supply chains and the European political and regulatory context in which they operate;
- demonstrate awareness of strategies for food waste prevention and reduction as a key element of sustainable food systems;
- communicate effectively and collaborate with peers and industry stakeholders during group work and field visits;
- develop autonomous learning skills through an integrated theoretical and practical learning approach.
Course Schedule
July 5th Sunday
Meeting point at Trento train station
h14.30: Departure to Pieve Tesino (all together by train/bus)
h19.00: Arrival in Pieve Tesino and check-in
h20.00: Welcome dinner
July 6th Monday
h9.00-9.30: Opening ceremony
h9.30-10.00: Introduction to the course and group work
h10.00-11.30: Lecture
h11.30-13.00: Exercise
h14.30-16.00: Lecture
h16.00-18.00: Orienteering
July 7th Tuesday
h8.00-18.00: Field visit at local food companies
July 8th Wednesday
h9.00-10.45: Lecture
h11.00-12.45: Exercise
h14.30-16.00: Lecture
h16.-18.00: Visit at berry farm, introduction to group works
July 9th Thursday
h8.00-16.00: Field visit at a typical “malga” of Trentino with short trekking
h16.30-18.00: Group work session (I)
July 10th Friday
h9.00-10.45: Lecture
h11.00-12.45: Exercise
h14.30-16.00: Lecture
h16.30-18.00: Group work session (II)
July 11th Saturday
h9.00-11.45: Group work session (III)
h12.00-12.45: Final pitch on group works – Case study 1
h14.30-16.00: Final pitch on group works – Case study 2 and 3
h16.15-17.00: Final exam with multiple questions
h17.00-h17.30: Results of the exam and closing of the summer school
July 12th
Sunday h9.00: Check-out and departure
Course Language
English
Course Format / Teaching Methods
The course includes oral classes, practical exercises, and interactive sessions. It also includes two visits to local food companies
Credits
ECTS Credits and Workload Overview
| Number of Credits [ECTS] | 3 |
|---|---|
| TOTAL Workload [hours] | 21 estimated |
| Student's own work [hours] | 6,5 estimated |
| Contact classes [hours] | 14,5 estimated |
| Exam [hours] | 1 hour. The exam includes a presentation of the group work and a test composed by multiple answer questions |
Type of Assessment and Assessment Criteria
The assessment will consist of 2 different steps: the first one is the presentation of the group work, followed by a multiple-choice test regarding the class held in the summer school. The exam will be in a score of maximum 30 points.
Cultural Activities / Social Program
two visit are included in the program to field visit at local food companies during the week.
Tuition Fees
Thanks to the funding provided by the Internationalization Program of the University of Tuscia, the registration is free of charge for the students enrolled in degree courses at the promoting Universities (University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy; Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece; University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania, Universitat de Lledia, Lleida, Spain, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Wien, Austria; Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic. The registration fee is € 250 for other participants.
The fee includes:
? All lectures and seminars;
? Course materials;
? Bus to join the field visits;
? Accommodation in multiple-bed rooms at the Alpine Studies Centre from the 5th of July (arrival) to the 12th of July (departure) 2026.
Dinners at the local restaurant from July 5th to July 11th (7 dinners) are partially covered by the fee. A mandatory and fixed payment of 90€ per student will be requested on the first day, as a contribution to the cost of the dinners of the week. The organising team reserves the right to remove or reduce this compulsory contribution in case of availability of additional funding in support of the summer school.
Travel expenses to reach Pieve Tesino, small entrance fees to the companies (to be paid locally), and costs of breakfast and lunches are not included in the registration fee. Students enrolled at the non-Italian promoting universities (Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece; University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania, Universitat de Lledia, Lleida, Spain, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Wien, Austria; ; Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic) can apply to the international offices of their home university to obtain a mobility contribution through Erasmus+ funds.
Additional Costs
A mandatory and fixed payment of 90€ per student will be requested on the first day, as a contribution to the cost of the dinners of the week. Additionally, breakfast and lunch are not included, but there are local market and facilities availble to buy it.
Accommodation
The student will stay in multiple-bed rooms at the Alpine Studies Centre, in Pieve Tesino.
Financing - Specific for the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program (BIP)
The summer school is structured as a comprehensive Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program (BIP; blended meaning consisting of an online and on-site part). Prospective participants from ELLS universities outside of Italy, are encouraged to obtain prior to applying 1. an approved Erasmus learning agreement and 2. an approved Erasmus grant agreement for the Blended Intensive Programme for the summer school. Admission priority will be given to participants who have obtained such agreements. You can inquire with your Erasmus coordinator or the ELLS International Relations Officer(s) of your university about the possibility of obtaining such a grant. Also ‘zero grants’, without available money count for approval priority. You can find the list of contact persons for each ELLS university here:
https://www.euroleague-study.org/en/r-20337-alliance/r-20346-support-teams/r-20469-international-relations-officers-iro/international-relations-officers-iro.html#Contact%20Info
Prospective participants of non-ELLS universities are directed towards their staff dealing with Erasmus programmes or student exchange.
ELLS participating universities by which the BIP is developed and implemented: University of Tuscia (Viterbo, Italy), Universitat de Lledia (Lleida, Spain), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU, Uppsala, Sweden); University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Boku, Wien, Austria), Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Prague, Czech Republic)
Health Insurance
Participants are responsible for an adequate health insurance during their participation in the program. Participants should possess an EU health insurance card.
Visa
Participants are responsible for checking whether a visa is required.
Application Deadline
1 May 2026
Link to online Application form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOr5iXQOyBYMYzFiEO3fAfKT7drvwjvunjjMMb_8MHDPnmgQ/viewform
Contact persons for scientific questions
Clara Cicatiello foodsummerschool@unitus.it