IP CHARLO Week

The project aims at being a change agent to help communities and business communities to tackle the challenges of sustainability, i.e. circularity and social aspects. This project is crucial for developing rural areas not only capital regions, strategic – long term development of remote areas. Some examples:

• Invitation of a local enterprise as a guest lecturer to present their story in circular economy
• Visits to local companies for exchange of experience, knowledge and know-how. Enterprises will be asked to share challenges they face and the IP team sets to find solutions for them, co-work with the enterprises
• Encourage knowledge and competence transfer into careers and further actions of the community and companies involved.

The main practical approach is collaboration between students in games and digital circular canvas models (https://circulab.com/toolbox-circular-economy/circular-canvas-regenerative-business-models/ ). By using circular canvas students learn how to express the circular solutions/ ideas in a short and effective way.  

• Development through gaming as a new methodology where both students and teachers have the possibility to learn together.
• Staying in a local community for the week
• Guest lectures from local entrepreneurs or area
• Hybrid sessions to kick off the pre-tasks in the different HEIs

The learning outcomes for the students are three fold and include the  development of knowledge, practice and attitudes mainly are:

• learning about SGDs and sustainability (theory, knowledge), and how to put the SGDs into action (https://sdgs.un.org/goals)
• learning by getting familiar with best practices and challenges in the local community
• learning of new tools for working with sustainability in the community (in companies and other institutions)/ learn the models of application of circular and social economy for sustainable business development in local communities and its relevance for the participating institutions
• learning how to use the business model canvas, particularly business model canvas for introduction of circularity solutions.
• introducing and sharing ideas for sustainable development in local community
• learning how to critically analyse the context
• working with openness and creativity to find new robust solutions for the community
• developing their analytical skills, sustainable thinking as well as practices related to a business context.

Day 1 Sunday

People arrived in all sorts of ways — some by ferry, some by plane — but by the evening, everyone had gathered at Hotel Pommern, our home for the week. The weather was surprisingly nice, which added to the warm welcome.
We are going to tell you about our trips, that should be interesting!

I’m Dominyka, and I’m gonna tell a bit about my trip from Lithuania 🙂 We set off from Kaunas on April 5, driving through the soft greys and early spring greens of the Baltics, reaching the port city of Ventspils by afternoon. From there, we boarded the evening ferry to Nynäshamn, Sweden — a quiet overnight ride across the Baltic Sea. The next morning brought a short stroll through the cobbled heart of Stockholm, just enough for a coffee and a breath of city life, before driving north to Grisslehamn. There, another ferry carried us over to Eckerö in the Åland Islands. A final scenic drive took us to Mariehamn, where the sea met sleepy streets and the calm of island time settled in.

I am Anna-Kreeta and I arrived at Åland island with my uni friends on Sunday at 4 am. We didn’t have that many hours of sleep. We had a good dinner at the boat buffet and sang some karaoke together. Luckily, we got our room right the way when we arrived at Mariehamn. We had a sleep in and went to a local burger shop to have lunch and explore the city. We also had a swim and a nap before welcoming dinner.

I Am Albert, and I travelled with the Danish delegation. We left Copenhagen late afternoon, leaving a beautiful spring day with great sunshine, in our rearview mirror. We flew to Helsinki, where the airport itself was an experience, having a second-hand store, in the middle of the square. Thereafter flying in a tiny propeller plane to Mariehamn, arriving in the cold and dark, but hungry for an experience.
I’m Amer 🙂 We left Skövde early in the morning, greeted by sunshine and the crisp freshness of spring. Though a few students arrived a bit late, we made it just in time to catch the train to Stockholm. The journey was long, but we were lucky to travel in first class, which made the ride all the more comfortable. After a few hours, we arrived in the beautiful city of Stockholm, alive with travelers heading in every direction. We boarded a bus toward the harbor, passing by the elegant architecture and vibrant streets of the capital. Once at the port, we boarded the ship to Mariehamn in Åland. The ferry ride was smooth for most, though I did feel a bit seasick along the way. Still, the tax-free shopping onboard offered a fun distraction. We arrived in Åland to a peaceful, quiet atmosphere that felt like a breath of fresh air.
I am Svetlana and I will tell you about our trip to Mariehamn Åland. We are four girls from Estonia studying in TTK University of Applied Sciences. We started our journey on Saturday in the evening at 18 o´clock. We arrived at 5 in the morning to Mariehamn. We drove to hotel Pommern and went to sleep. We had our breakfast and after that we went to discover Mariehamn.
We kicked things off with a group dinner at the hotel. Understandably, everyone seemed a little nervous at first — new faces, new languages, and new surroundings — but the mood quickly lightened as we started chatting and getting to know each other.
Dinner was a cozy highlight: creamy risotto with chicken followed by ice cream for dessert. It was simple, tasty, and a great way to break the ice.

It feels like the beginning of something fun, and we’re excited to see where this journey takes us!

Blue team: Dominyka, Amer, Svetlana, Albert, Anna-Kreeta

#IPCharloÅland #CircularEconomy #TeamBuilding #CulturalExchange #StudyTrip2025

Day 2 Monday  

After the amazing introduction we were assigned our groups and was tasked with making “Team flower” a teamflower where we would hone our social skills and get to learn a bit more about each other and which 3 similarities we had, 1 thing we had didn’t have in common and also our personality type. Not to forget who could draw the flower of course.

After that we had a lecture about sustainable linear and circular economy which was presented by Maira Leščevica. During this lecture we could brainstorm different issues in the world related to politics, climate changes and natural disasters, and scarcity of natural resources. The lecturer also talked about the linear and circular economy, global risks and how we can change the world by using sustainable development goals.

 In the second part of the day, we visited Sjökvarteret in Mariehamn – a vibrant maritime quarter that intertwines tradition, craftsmanship, and the seafaring culture of the Åland Islands. The visit offered not only an introduction to the physical space and its functions but also served as an engaging window into the living heritage of maritime life.

We were introduced to the area, its purpose, and the processes that take place there. Sjökvarteret isn’t just a tourist attraction – it’s a working environment where traditional boatbuilding is still practiced, and local maritime culture is preserved and developed. The commissioner gave us a detailed overview of the different components of Sjökvarteret. We saw places where boats are built and repaired using traditional techniques, a smithy where metal parts are crafted, and other craftsmanship which are located there. We gained insight into how a cultural space like Sjökvarteret operates not only as a heritage site but as a living center of activity that connects past and present through ongoing craftsmanship and community engagement. The visit challenged us to reconsider the definition of sustainability – realizing that traditional methods, when preserved and practiced, can serve as models for sustainable living in today’s world.

After our visit with the commissioner at Sjökvarteret, we returned to the university for our group presentations on cultural heritage in our respective countries and regions. This part of the day felt particularly enriching, as it opened up a space for dialogue, comparison, and mutual learning. Hearing about the diverse ways heritage is preserved and celebrated across different cultures made us realize just how broad and nuanced the concept of “cultural heritage” truly is. We got a broader perspective on how heritage is defined and valued in different parts of the world, which helped us reflect more critically on our own cultural background and assumptions.

The last part of the day was the lecture about Circular Canvas, which was presented by

Annely Mängel, specifically about circular design toolkit. The lecture was an introduction to a comprehensive toolkit that supports designers in transitioning from linear to circular models. The toolkit offers guidance and visual resources to help teams analyze existing systems, identify opportunities for circularity, and reimagine products and services with long-term impact in mind. We learned how this tool identifies levers for the value chain and maps our partner. This session not only helped us learn how this toolkit is used, but also how we will be using this tool during this project to promote and strengthen social sustainability of project partner Sjökvarteret.

Greeting from group “Green”.

Day 3 Tuesday 

We started the day at the university by presenting the facts we had listed the day before. One of our first creative tasks was to create a “flower” – a visual representation of shared and unique preferences among our group members. Each petal of the flower showed one interest each of us had individually, while the centre contained three things we all had in common. This exercise not only helped us get to know each other better but also built a foundation of trust and group cohesion, which was essential for the collaborative work.

Structured Research Through the KWHL Chart
As the first formal step in our research process, we began filling in the KWHL chart. This chart consisted of four key sections: “What I know,” “What I want to know,” “How will I learn,” and “What I learned.” It served as a guiding framework that helped us map our existing knowledge, identify our research goals, and stay focused throughout the task. We found this structure extremely helpful, it encouraged self-reflection and strategic planning, and allowed us to track our learning journey in a transparent and organized way. This method supported our research by keeping our questions visible and by helping us share and document the knowledge we gathered as a group.

Exploring the Circular Value Chain Canvas as a Strategic Tool
Working with the Circular Value Chain Canvas offered a powerful way to understand how value is created, distributed, and sustained in an organization. Using this framework to analyze Sjökvarteret helped our group identify what the key functions are, what resources are involved, and where opportunities lie for improvement. The canvas guided us to look at the entire system, rather than seeing sustainability as a single-point issue. By filling in each section, from design to next use phase, we developed a clear understanding of the site’s operations.

Effective Team Collaboration and Role Division
Another important learning point was the significance of structured teamwork during fieldwork and analysis. Our group decided early on to divide responsibilities, some of us took notes, and others handled observation and documentation. This division helped us work more efficiently and made sure every team member’s strengths were utilized. Through this experience, we realized how critical good communication, time management, and role clarity are in producing meaningful outcomes. We also learned to value the process of group reflection at the end of each session, which helped surface insights we might have otherwise missed. These are key skills that we will bring to future interdisciplinary projects, particularly those that involve community research and group assignments.

After school activity: Guided tour bus around Åland to Bomarsund and historical site.

One of the most memorable parts of our IPW experience was the guided bus tour around Åland, which we explored together as a team. Our local guide was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also passionate, offering insights that none of us had expected.
As we drove through the scenic landscapes and visited key touristic sites, we were struck by the strong sense of economic nationalism that defines Ålandic culture. The Ålanders’ commitment to supporting their own economy—prioritizing locally produced goods above all else—was both inspiring and eye-opening. From local mustard to Sollhagen brewery beer (which, of course, we had to try), and even underwater-aged champagne, every product had a story rooted in pride, heritage, and sustainability. One concept that really stayed with us was the idea of being an “Axgan”—a person who only consumes products from Åland. It’s not just a label, it’s a lifestyle, and it reflects a deeper cultural value of self-reliance and community support
Reflecting on this as a group, we realized how closely this mindset aligns with the principles of social sustainability. Ålanders’ preference for local goods strengthens their economy, preserves traditions, and fosters a sense of community resilience—all crucial elements in building a sustainable society. For our project on Åland’s social sustainability, this perspective offers valuable insights. It shows how cultural values and economic habits go hand in hand to support social cohesion and long-term well-being. While we did jokingly question whether they’re truly as thrifty as they claim, we all agreed that there’s something admirable about their conscious, collective effort to sustain their local way of life. Experiences like this tour didn’t just inform us—they helped us connect the dots between local identity, consumer behavior, and the broader goals of sustainable development. And best of all, we shared laughs, new knowledge, and a few local treats along the way.

Indigo team – Rebekka, Augustas, Ralfs, Dilumi, Melika

Day 4 Wednesday 

A lot of the personality types were on the Intuitive and Feeling. The personalities are quite spread so we were encouraged to give people the opportunity to communicate.

Partner map session 9:00; by Lester Allan Lasrado and Juras Tameli

Partner mapping is a framework for teamwork, a replication of the real life applicat. The boundaries from for example the value chain seem clear but they are very fluid.

There was an explanation through an example of emission gasses which can be divided into different scopes. The direct, indirect and circumstance. Indirect emission are supposed to report on your supply chain.

Emission gets measured through KPIs (Key performance indicator) which has a lot of importance for what the end result will be. There was a particular emphasis on the accuracy of scope 3 as this is quite new as a field, leading to rather vague statements. This is the process of mapping emissions and as such is developing.

The lecture was very informative and unbiased, informing on the standards for emissions. A formula was shown for the total CO2 for a process in a bottom-up structure. Another key emphasis was the contrast to a maritime company and postnord.

Important to note; eu legislation forces only large companies to report emissions, most on Åland are small to mid-size

9-11:00 own group work.Some groups feel mildly overwhelmed by the freedom and size of the task, the instructions feel rather lacking but there is a slow increase in clarity. There seemed to be a small difference in instructions from teachers. The pace is very fast. There is confusion about whether or not this is an analysis about the current or this is meant to improve.

The assignment is challenging but makes people focused on solving it too. Team purple emphasized their fondness for potatoes.12-15:00 circular canvas session by Annely Mängel

The task is for the foundation; how can they work together to promote social sustainability. A tool, process, cooperation or an activity. We were introduced to a new template får a business.

The circular canvas aims to facilitate a flow of thoughts for the project.

15:00-16:15

The interview with the commissioner was cancelled due to an emergency with leakage of their sewage system. The students had questions regarding accessibility for people that do not speak Swedish.

The interview questions were instead answered by Therese to the best of her ability.

Sincerely yours,

Group Pink 💖

Day 4 Thursday

Team Members : Arpit, Elsa, Kristers, Lalani, Ronja

Our day started with breakfast and casual conversation, followed by a walk to school and a brief check-in meeting – a daily routine that helps us reflect and stay aligned.

We then divided our tasks but continued to share ideas and progress through tools like Google Sheets, WhatsApp, and post-it notes.

Personally, the past few days have been both challenging and enriching. I’ve been inspired by the island and its community – I see many opportunities for connection and development, both within and around the “Sjökvarteret”.

My team has been amazing – full of energy, respect, joy, empathy, and friendship. I’m leaving with valuable experiences that will stay with me both professionally and personally.

Takk fyrir mig Maríuhöfn.

From 10:00 am to 12:00 pm:

I am Arpit Jain, representing Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences from Finland, where I’m diving deep into the world of Finance (just a whole lot of Excel sheets). It’s been an insightful ride filled with learning and laughs so far. One of the best parts? Meeting people from all over the world. So many cultures, so many perspectives; it’s like international networking on steroids!

I have also been exploring sustainability, which felt a bit outside my comfort zone at first. But honestly? It’s been a fun challenge; it turns out there’s more to life than balance sheets (don’t tell my finance professor).

After a coffee break,  at 10:00, we had the pleasure of listening to Oskar Karlström from Turku University, who shared insights on sustainability and circular economy in practice. His presentation helped us to understand Industrial and regional clusters and symbiotic relationships between organizations as well.

One key takeaway from the guest lecture was that sustainability doesn’t operate in isolation. It thrives in interconnected ecosystems where waste becomes a resource and the raw materials and knowledge are shared.  This lecture gave us inspiration and clarity, especially live examples from Finland and other Nordic countries. 

We took the lunch break from 11:00 to 12:00 at Restaurant Seaside, located at Neptunigatan 6.

From noon to 02:00 pm:

I am Lalani, representing the Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Finland. I am one of five students participating in this international workshop as part of the IP Charlo project in Mariehamn, Åland Islands. This workshop was a very exciting and meaningful opportunity for me, and working with students and mentors from different countries broadened my perspective and challenged my thinking in new ways. In addition to the existing knowledge in sustainability, we gained new concepts and new knowledge about sustainability. We got to know a lot of new things about the Aland Islands and history of the islands.

After lunch, we participated in a lecture regarding Minimum Viable Product (MVP), which was led by one of our lecturers. Following the MVP session, we had a dynamic lecture on how to pitch ideas effectively, led by two experienced teachers. We moved from ideation to actual prototyping and gained confidence in pitching.

From 02:00 to 04:30 pm:

My name is Ronja. I’m what you could call a local. I am studying to become a sea captain at the Aland University of Applied Sciences. This week has been super interesting to see and understand this island from a visitor’s point of view. I have learned the funniest phrases in so many languages, laughed a lot, and actually found out how interesting business and marketing can be. Which I have always been very sceptical about. My mum would be proud, cause she is a marketing and business woman. Very thankful for all the amazing people, especially my lovely potatoes in the purple group.

After some brainstorming sessions with our team using circular canvas and partner mapping, we pitched our idea to two teachers to gather first-round feedback. Their comments helped us identify which aspects of our project were strongest concerning social inclusion and sustainability and what needed improvement.

From 04:30 to 10:00 pm,

My name is Kristers, and I’m studying Information Technologies at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. After 04:30, we stayed in the Åland University building to finalize our presentation, decide the order of our speakers, and get everything organized for tomorrow’s big day.

Reflecting on the past week, I’d say it has been a truly enriching experience. We learned a lot about the Åland Islands, went on an insightful tour, and had the chance to meet new people—not only from the Baltic Sea region, but also from various countries where they currently study.

The teamwork throughout the week was great, and the lectures delivered by the 11 professors were both engaging and valuable.

We wrapped up the day with a lovely dinner at Compagniet (Strandgatan 35), which allowed us to relax and enjoy Åland’s hospitality. We enjoyed boule, shuffleboard, and billiards, offering a perfect end to a full and inspiring day. These activities helped build stronger bonds with fellow participants across different universities and countries.

Day 6 Friday

On Monday, we had our first official lecture on the circular canvas. While some of us had heard of it before, using it in practice was a new experience. It reminded us of the business model canvas but with a strong focus on sustainability and circular thinking. Later, we visited our commissioner, Sjäkvarteret – a maritime centre centered around cultural heritage, education, and community involvement. We learned that many of their activities rely on volunteers, and we were introduced to our challenge for the week: improving social sustainability. At first, the theme felt quite broad, but we were curious to dive deeper and understand it in context.

On Tuesday, we continued working with the circular canvas, this time using a KWHL table to guide our thinking. It helped clarify what we knew and what we needed to learn. We also went out to interview a local shipbuilder, whose passion and dedication gave us insight into the kind of people who shape the life of Sjäkvarteret. After lunch, we received the canvas template and worked in teams to map out the commissioner’s current situation. The process was sometimes messy, but it gave structure to our discussions and made us reflect on the many layers of sustainability. In the evening, a historical tour of the island added local context that helped us better understand the community.

Wednesday began with a session on partner mapping, which pushed us to identify the many stakeholders involved in Sjäkvarteret’s ecosystem – from volunteers and tourists to schools and local government. After lunch, we shifted focus to the business plan, analyzing Sjäkvarteret’s current setup. We realized that while the project offers strong social and cultural value, it’s not financially sustainable in its current form. This sparked a group discussion on how to design models that balance impact and viability.

At this point in the week, we were learning not just new tools, but also how to collaborate, adapt, and work through uncertainty. The tasks were sometimes unclear, but that made the experience feel more realistic. Each person in our group brought a unique perspective, helping us form a more complete understanding of the challenge. If we were to start over, we might suggest narrowing down the focus of social sustainability earlier on, to make the process more targeted. We’d also like to ask more about how success is measured in projects like this – especially when the outcomes aren’t purely financial.

By Thursday, it was time to think about future solutions. Our group chose to focus on developing events that engage local residents and young people, aiming to strengthen community ties and increase participation. We also had lectures on MVP (minimum viable product) and pitching, which gave us practical tools to shape and present our concept. By the end of the day, we had developed our proposal and practiced our pitch. It felt exciting – and a little nerve-wracking – to prepare for our final presentation.

That evening, we had our farewell dinner. The food was amazing, and we spent the evening playing games, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. It was a joyful and warm way to wrap up an intense, creative week.

 On Friday, it was time to present. Each group shared their ideas, and it was fascinating to see how differently everyone had interpreted the challenge. The diversity of approaches was inspiring, and we hope some of the ideas will be taken forward by Sjäkvarteret.

 Looking back, this week was an incredibly rich learning experience. We gained practical tools like the circular canvas, stakeholder mapping, and pitching techniques. But even more importantly, we learned how to work together across cultures, tackle real-world challenges, and think more critically about what social sustainability means in practice. It was a week full of learning, creativity, and meaningful connections – and we’re grateful to have been part of it.

Thank you!

Video url – IP Charlo 2025 video

NB! For better video quality, please use 1080p resolution.

Team Yellow – Guðrún Ösp, Jonas, Kasper, Nele, Nhi, Rishma