From 17 to 30 November 2025, the Erasmus Student Network once again brought communities together with the Autumn edition of Social Impact Days, a biannual initiative designed to showcase the transformative potential of students and volunteers across Europe, through social collaboration. This year’s campaign highlighted activities that embody ESN’s mission to enrich society through intercultural dialogue, community engagement, and civic participation.
Across 40+ countries, numerous ESN sections organised impactful initiatives that engaged both international students and local students with their communities. These activities spanned the six causes of ESN, as the cornerstone dimensions of “Social Impact”: Culture, Skills & Employability, Education & Youth, Social Inclusion, Health & Well-being, and Environmental Sustainability.
To honour outstanding contributions, the Activity in the Spotlight Team of the International Activities Committee (ActiCom) acknowledged six winning activities that exemplified creativity, outreach, and meaningful outcomes. The following initiatives stood out for their innovation and relevance.
The Six Activities that made an “Impact That Echoes Through Time.”
- Cause: Culture
- Activity: Länderabend Hong Kong & Macau
"It is always a great pleasure to cooperate with our fellow international student clubs and create such nice culinary experiences, and foster cultural exchange. Our Länderabend truly is an amazing event, and this one in particular with the Hong Kong / Macau students on our side, was a unique experience for everyone there."
Organised by ESN TUMi München, this event celebrated the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Hong Kong and Macau. Attendees experienced authentic cuisine, cultural presentations, and participated in dialogues that deepened intercultural understanding. This complimentary event provided students with an accessible platform to experience authentic cuisine, engage with cultural traditions, and foster intercultural dialogue. In line with ESN's commitment to environmental sustainability, participants were encouraged to bring reusable tableware, with eco-conscious alternatives available for purchase. The initiative successfully created an inclusive space where students from diverse backgrounds could share and exchange experiences, explore international cuisine, and build meaningful cross-cultural connections.
Participants: 151
- Cause: Skills & Employability
- Activity:L’EGE’NDARY MINI 101
"Ege ESN Mini 101 turned into a truly memorable İzmir day, beautifully reflecting the welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant spirit of Ege University. What began as an inspiring event in the conference hall, filled with engaging presentations and interactive workshops, evolved into a joyful open-air gathering, where participants sat on the grass and shared warm conversations in a relaxed campus atmosphere. This meaningful coming together not only passed on the true ESN spirit to newcomers but also strengthened connections across the community, leaving everyone inspired, united, and excited for the journey ahead." - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burcu Kerimoğlu - Ege University
Led by ESN Ege University, this initiative aimed to enhance practical skills and career readiness. Through workshops, peer-to-peer sessions, and expert insights, participants gained actionable tools for navigating professional challenges. This comprehensive full-day professional development initiative equipped participants with essential knowledge of ESN's organisational structure, mission, and operational frameworks while fostering practical competencies for effective volunteer engagement. The programme featured keynote presentations from section leadership, including insights on Erasmus mobility programmes and international opportunities, followed by introductions to Board roles and local committee functions. Participants engaged in interactive sessions with the National Board via virtual connection and gained inspiration from Alumni Talks highlighting transformative ESN experiences. Through this structured learning experience, participants, particularly new members, acquired the foundational knowledge, confidence, and practical tools necessary to contribute meaningfully to section activities and advance their personal and professional development within the Erasmus Student Network.
Participants: 82
- Cause: Education & Youth
- Activity: Jewelry from Black Gold
"Renewable Energy of Silesian Coal.“Black gold” in a contemporary guise, a traditional mineral that once powered industrial development. Today, it fuels the growth of art, the joy of shared experiences, and the act of giving to others. During our workshop, we have created small, energizing “talismans” with coal in the leading role. Coal that warms, inspires, and endures. Like Erasmus friendships." - Zofia Sobczak, our Social Impact Coordinator:
ESN UŚ Katowice organised an educational and creative workshop that explored themes of cultural identity, sustainability, and artistic expression. Participants engaged in hands-on activities that combined storytelling with creative craft. "Jewelry from Black Gold" was a creative workshop that brought together international students and local youth to explore Silesian cultural identity through hands-on artistic expression. Using coal, the region’s symbolic “black gold”, participants designed unique jewelry pieces that connected traditional heritage with modern creativity. The activity fostered intercultural dialogue, inclusivity, and cultural sustainability while offering a meaningful and personal way to engage with Upper Silesia’s local traditions.
Participants: 12
- Cause: Social Inclusion
- Activity: The Importance of Asking for Help
"The Importance of Asking for Help was created to turn vulnerability into strength and silence into awareness. This event demonstrated that when international students, institutions, and local associations collaborate, meaningful social impact becomes possible. Creating safe spaces means listening, caring, and taking responsibility. This experience proved that international students are not just guests in a city, but active voices in building safer, more inclusive communities." - Giulia Grasso, President of ESN Perugia and Head of the Organising Committee of The Importance of Asking for Help
Addressing mental health and community support organised by ESN Perugia, provided a safe space for dialogue about vulnerability, support systems, and resilience. Through discussions and interactive exercises, participants were encouraged to break stigmas and strengthen their support networks. "The Importance of Asking for Help" was an awareness-raising event dedicated to addressing gender-based violence and promoting the importance of recognising warning signs and seeking support. Organised in collaboration with psychologists from a local anti-violence centre, the evening combined expert insights with personal reflections, artistic readings, and a short film created by international students. Supported by the City of Perugia and local institutions and associations, the activity fostered solidarity, dialogue, and collective responsibility in the prevention of violence.
Participants: 68
- Cause: Health & Well-Being
- Activity: SOS Erasmus: Be a Doctor for an Hour and Perform Life-Saving Manoeuvres!
But ESN Perugia’s achievements do not stop there!
Held by ESN Perugia, this practical workshop empowered students with essential first-aid skills. Participants learned critical life-saving manoeuvres under guided instruction, fostering confidence and preparedness. “SOS Erasmus: Be a Doctor for an Hour” was a hands-on first-aid workshop designed to equip students with essential life-saving skills and the confidence to act in emergencies. Guided by trained professionals, participants practiced techniques such as CPR, the recovery position, and responses to choking, fostering awareness, responsibility, and preparedness through practical experience.
"I really enjoyed the event. I believe it is very important to hold activities like this so that more people can learn basic first aid skills. I especially liked practicing the techniques myself on mannequins. The “instructors” explained everything clearly and answered all my curious questions, not only about the procedures but also about the deeper theory behind possible emergencies, including different types of bleeding." - Kristina Tolpina, Participant
Participants: 16
- Cause: Environmental Sustainability
- Event: Planting Trees in the Garden(s) of Refuge
Through the leadership of ESN Dortmund, volunteers and residents planted trees to support urban green spaces and environmental resilience. The initiative underscored the importance of ecological stewardship and provided a tangible contribution to biodiversity and sustainability. “Planting Trees in the Garden(s) of Refuge” was a collaborative environmental initiative that transformed unused campus land into a sustainable micro-forest, making a lasting contribution to ecological restoration and community solidarity. Implemented through a cross-continental partnership and guided by the Miyawaki method, the activity brought together students, faculty, and volunteers to plant 900 trees, symbolising a collective response to climate change and forced displacement while strengthening local and global connections.
"When organising this event, we knew our cause, and we knew our purpose, but seeing how everyone came together to make a lasting effect on their own campus was beyond our expectations, and it's ultimately what ESN stands for. Being selected as an Event in the Spotlight for Social Impact Days is a deeply meaningful recognition of what Garden(s) of Refuge represents. This project reminded us that sustainability is not only about environmental action, but also about care, memory, and belonging. Together, students transformed a previously unused space on their own campus into something living and lasting, a place that will continue to grow, breathe, and offer refuge long after we have graduated. Taking part in this planting created a powerful sense of shared responsibility and pride, showing how small, local actions can leave a tangible legacy while connecting us to global challenges such as climate change and forced migration."
Participants: 48
As the Social Impact Days initiative continues to demonstrate how ESN volunteers create value beyond mobility experiences, nurturing active citizenship and lasting social change. These activities exemplify the power of Students Helping Students within campuses, but also the importance of students actively helping their communities. As a concluding remark, Social Impact Days Autumn 2025 would not have been possible without the dedication of all participating ESN sections, whose creativity and commitment brought meaningful impact to their local communities. In addition, we also extend our sincere thanks to the Social Impact Team and Activity in the Spotlight Team of the International Activities Committee (ActiCom) for their coordination and continuous support throughout this initiative, as well as to all volunteers, partners, and participants who contributed their time and energy.
Together, these collective efforts continue to strengthen ESN’s mission of fostering social responsibility and positive change across Europe. We eagerly anticipate Social Impact Days Spring 2026, and the innovative initiatives ESN sections will develop to continue this legacy of meaningful social engagement and community transformation.
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