Course Type: Applied Blended Challenge (ABC)
Duration: Total workload 60 hours — Synchronous online: 2 sessions in September, 3 hours · Independent and group work: 25 hours · On-site (physical mobility): 5 days at UFV campus, 30 hours · Follow up & reflection: 2 hours
Dates: Online component — 23 September 2026 · On-site component — 9–13 November 2026, Madrid, Spain
Credits: 3 ECTS credits and a certificate of attendance
The primary objective of the program is to help train future opinion leaders capable of communicating complex—and at times discouraging—realities with rigor, clarity, and responsibility. By addressing challenges such as the housing crisis as a shared European issue, the program responds to growing trends of news avoidance and public disengagement. Drawing on strategies inspired by solutions journalism, we want to foster the leadership skills required for the next generation of communicators to inform, engage, and empower society.
Application deadline
Lead and Host Institution: Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV) – Madrid — Marta Molina Díez, Sonia Sánchez Díaz, Mayra Ambrosio Laredo
Partner Institutions: University Goce-Delcev (UGD) – North Macedonia — Natasa Miteva
External stakeholders: Policy makers & housing authorities; Urban planning experts; NGOs & social organisations; Journalists / media professionals
The primary objective of the program is to help train future opinion leaders capable of communicating complex—and at times discouraging—realities with rigor, clarity, and responsibility. By addressing challenges such as the housing crisis as a shared European issue, the program responds to growing trends of news avoidance and public disengagement. Drawing on strategies inspired by solutions journalism, we want to foster the leadership skills required for the next generation of communicators to inform, engage, and empower society.
Online sessions (September 2026): Introduction to key concepts: fundamentals of solutions journalism & digital narratives and communication strategies. Discussion about the topic: housing crisis. Group formation. Tasks. Guided discussions.
Onsite sessions (9–13 November, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria): Workshops. Practical sessions. Stakeholder engagement. Fieldwork. Challenge-based work. Final presentations on the last day.
Follow-up / reflection (Online session, November 2026): Online reflection activity.
Participants will be able to:
Level: Undergraduate. Fields or disciplines: communication, journalism, marketing.
This course may be suitable for those who have an interest in: Leadership communications skills, Communication strategies, Marketing, New narratives, Housing crisis.
Recommended Language Level: English B1–B2.
