EU4Dual is an European University Alliance comprising nine higher education institutions across the continent. It was launched in 2022 and the consortium has been dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and the professional world. The alliance aims to redefine dual education on a global scale. (Savonia n.d.) EU4Dual Winter School 2026 brought together 53 students from Finland, France, and Spain for a BIP innovation week in Kuopio. There was real business cases to be solved through sustainable design and pitching. (Savonia 2026.)

Winter School as an Innovation Journey

Winter School was an intensive innovation journey that brought together students from three universities to Kuopio, North Savo. Working in multidisciplinary and international teams, students tackled real-life challenges faced by local service-sector companies, such as digital visibility, marketing, customer engagement, and business development. During the course, we were given a wonderful opportunity to experience the services of local Kuopio entrepreneurs in practice.

Before the on-site week, we completed a pre-assignment to gain deeper insights into the case companies. During the intensive phase, we applied service design and design thinking to move rapidly from problem understanding to solution development. Key tools included design briefs, the Double Diamond model, and the How Might We approach.

The process resembled a service design sprint, condensing weeks or even months of development into a few days. Each team finalized its work with a five-minute pitch, received peer feedback, and refined the solution before delivering it to the case company. Overall, the Winter School offered a holistic learning experience that combined innovation, customer-centered thinking, and sustainable business development in a real-world context.

What is service design and design thinking?

Service design is an approach focused on creating meaningful, sustainable, and functional services by considering the needs of both customers and service providers within their specific contexts (IxDF – Interaction Design Foundation 2016). Rather than focusing only on outcomes, service design emphasizes understanding experiences, interactions, and value creation throughout the service journey. One of the most used models for the process is the Double Diamond framework, which guides teams through exploring problems broadly and narrowing toward focused solutions. (Stickdorn, Hormess, Lawrence, & Schneider 2018)

Practical leadership and team development in action

The course offered an excellent practical opportunity to dive into leadership and organizational development. Working in small teams to enhance local business operations provided an environment for practicing leadership in diverse scenarios, from managing remote meetings and instructing our groups to building trust and team spirit on campus. Leading a diverse group required adapting communication styles and setting clear objectives to effectively leverage each member’s unique strengths. All individuals in positions of responsibility play a pivotal role in establishing psychological safety (Työterveyslaitos n.d.).

Building mutual trust was critical when facing tight deadlines and complex business problems. Throughout the process, theoretical models were transformed into practical solutions, and open dialogue helped turn conflicting ideas into innovative strategies. Navigating real-world challenges sharpened decision-making and fostered a psychologically safe environment for experimentation. Ultimately, this experience significantly improved facilitation skills and provided practical leadership tools applicable to a working field.

Integrating Sustainability into Business Development and Leadership

The Winter School aimed to strengthen European collaboration through challenge-based learning while integrating sustainability into innovation for North Savo companies. This approach aligns with holistic thinking, where economic, social, cultural, and ecological dimensions are interconnected. The EU4Dual Winter School provided a concrete way to apply this mindset in practice.

Throughout the exercises, we evaluated the sustainability and responsibility impacts of our solutions across social, cultural, financial, and environmental perspectives. We also reflected on the current sustainability of the case companies and explored how responsible decision-making benefits both business and society. This highlighted the importance of sustainable leadership—not only in supporting company growth, but also in contributing to broader societal well-being.

Winter School demonstrated how innovation, leadership, and sustainability are used in real-world business development. By working with company challenges, applying service design, and collaborating in international teams, we gained practical insights into how sustainable solutions are created. Effective team leadership proved crucial in coordinating diverse perspectives and maintaining momentum. The intensive format encouraged fast learning, experimentation, and reflection—skills essential in today’s complex and rapidly changing working life.

Would you like to take this kind of course in your studies?

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Authors

Laivo Maria, Leadership and development in health care and social services (MBA) student, Savonia Master School, s2425512@edu.savonia.fi

Silvola Jenni, Sustainable Future (MBA) student, Savonia Master School, s2512114@edu.savonia.fi

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Refrences

IKANGAI, 2026. What is the Double Diamond design model? https://www.ikangai.com/what-is-the-double-diamond-design-model/. Viitattu 1.2.2026

IxDF – Interaction Design Foundation, 2016. What is Service Design? https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/service-design. Viitattu 28.1.2026.

Savonia, N.d. EU4Dual. https://eu4dual.savonia.fi. Viitattu 28.1.2026.

Savonia, 2026. Winter School 2026 – syväsukellus elämyspalveluyritysten kehittämiseen ja Suomen talveen. Saatavilla: Winter School 2026 – syväsukellus elämyspalveluyritysten kehittämiseen ja Suomen talveen. Viitattu 28.1.2026.

Stickdorn, M., Hormess, M. E., Lawrence, A., & Schneider, J. 2018. This Is Service Design Doing: Applying Service Design Thinking in the Real World : A Practitioners’ Handbook.

Työterveyslaitos N.d. Miten luoda peloton ilmapiiri? https://www.ttl.fi/oppimateriaalit/pelotta-toissa-psykologinen-turvallisuus-tyoyhteisossa/miten-luoda-peloton-ilmapiiri. Viitattu 28.1.2026.