Security Challenges and Sustainability in a Changing Central Europe (BIP)

April 20-24, 2026 (face-to-face part)

May 4, 2026 (online part)

Mendel University in Brno warmly invites you to participate in the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on Security Challenges and Sustainability in Central Europe (BIP), hosted by the Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies. This unique programme combines short-term mobility for both online and physical components. The face-to-face session is scheduled from April 20 to 24, 2026, while the online session will be held on May 4, 2026.

Interested participants are encouraged to register by March 15, 2026 – use the link below:

Registration

Would you like to attend our BIP? The deadline for registration is March 15, 2026. Once you register, we will contact you within 2 weeks.

Registration link

Information

  • Activities lectures, hand-on workshops, field trips
  • Topics Sustainability, Security Challenges, Central Europe, EU Governance, Climate-related Risks, European Conflicts, Environmental Policy, International Relations, Risk Analysis
  • Registration Deadline: 15.03.2026. Use link above.
  • Costs covered by sending institution (travel costs, accommodation) within the Erasmus+ programme, Other costs (excursions, food etc.) in charge of coordinating institution
  • Credits 3 ECTS
  • Target Group Staff (STT), Students (Bachelor, Master, PhD)

What can you expect?

The program features lectures by leading experts in international relations, European studies, and environmental policy, alongside discussions and case studies. Students will examine EU challenges, conflicts affecting European states, climate-related risks, and societal transformations.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how security and sustainability jointly shape the present and future of the region, analyzing current dynamics and exploring possible future scenarios.

Registration

  • Registration is mandatory for the participation at the event.
  • Only registered students/staff will be allowed to participate.
  • The confirmation of the registration will be sent to your email by our coordinator.
  • Even if you are participating as a teacher on an STA (Staff Mobility for Teaching), please register using the registration form
  • Deadline for registration is March 15, 2026.

Programme

TimeAGENDA – Introduction of the BIP, orientation and regional introduction
10:00 – 10:30Registration of Participants, Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:00Opening of the BIP (faculty and university representatives)
11:00 – 12:00Introduciton of the Topic, Brno and the South Moravian Region (Amar Khairi, Ph.D., Mendel University)
12:00 – 13:00Lunch Break
14:00 – 16:00Excursion / Lecture
16:00 – 18:00Tour of Brno and Monuments
18:00 – 19:30Free evening programme
TIMEAGENDA – security challenges and the eu deimnsion in central europe
9:00 – 11:00Security Challenges in a Changing Central Europe (Amar Khairi, Ph.D., Mendel University)
11:00 – 11:30Coffee Break
11:30 – 13:00A Second Cold War? USA-China Competition and the Future of Security in Central Europe (Dr. Reuben Michael Steff, Mendel University)
13:00 – 14:00Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:00Lecture (TBA)
15:00 – 16:00Future EU Budget and the Role of the Regions in Central Europe (prof. Blížkovský, Secretary-General of the European Committee of the Regions)
17:00 – 19:00Informal Dinner (Tenis Pub, Lužánky Brno, Lužánecká 2016/7)
TIMEAGENDA – regional security: migration, diplomacy and securitization
9:00 – 10:30Migration and Securitization in the Region (Dr. Martin Hrabálek, Mendel University)
10:30 – 11:00Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30Diplomacy and Securitization in the Region (Dr. Martin Petlach, Mendel University
12:30 – 14:00Photo Session, Lunch
14:00 – 16:00Visit to the Regional Office in Brno
16:00 – 18:00Free programme
TIMEAGENDA – sustainability challenges in central europe
9:00 – 10:30Sustainability Challenges in Central Europe (Ing. Tadeáš Hrušovský, Mendel University)
10:30 – 11:00Coffee Break
11:00 – 13:00Sustainable Agriculture – Importance of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization for Soil Fertility and Food Security (prof. Tomáš Lošák, Ph.D., Mendel University)
13:00 – 14:00Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:00Arboretum Visit
15:00 – 17:00Lecture (Ing. Tadeáš Hrušovský)
18:00 – 22:00Evening Programme and Closing Ceremony (S-Klub)
TIMEAGENDA – european integration, online tasks and course conclusion
9:00 – 10:00Presentation of Tasks for the Online Part of the BIP Course (Amar Khairi, Mendel University)
10:00 – 12:00Regions as Engines of EU Integration (dr. Franck Debie, European Parliamentary Research Service / The Ecole Normale Superieure)
12:00 – 13:00Closing Ceremony with Distribution of Course Completion Certificates (Amar Khairi, Mendel University)
13:00 – 14:00Departure of the Students

Accommodation

  • It is possible to arrange accommodation at the J. A. Komenský dormitories (JAK), specifically at Block D
  • The dormitories are located in Brno, in the district of Černá Pole, at Kohoutova 3–11
  • you can make a reservation directly by contacting the dormitories via email at skm.koleje.jak@mendelu.cz

Administrative process

  • Participants are required to register using the provided registration form. Upon successful registration, they will receive an Acceptance Letter.
  • It is recommended that participants secure a grant from their home institution to cover travel and accommodation expenses, which are allocated as follows:
    • 1-14 days (79 euros/day)
    • 15-30 days (56 euro/day)
  • Participants must consult their home university to understand the conditions of the mobility and confirm eligibility for a grant.
  • A completed Learning Agreement is mandatory prior to mobility. Detailed information on this will be sent to participants before their departure.
  • At the end of the mobility period, participants will be issued a Confirmation and Transcript of Records. Additionally, students participating in the BIP will be awarded 3 ECTS credits.
  • Staff can participate within the Erasmus+ STT (Staff Mobility for Training) or Erasmus+ STA (Staff Mobility for Teaching):
    • E+ STT – qualifying as eligible BIP participants
    • E+ STA – qualifying as organizers/lectures, not as participants
  • For documentation, you will be contacted by BIP organizers.

Contact

Tereza Smidova
International Relations Officer
building X
+420 545 135 030
Amar Khairi
Academic Lead of BIP
building Z
+420 545 136 311
Mendel University in Brno
Zemědělská 1665/1, 613 00 Brno
IČO: 62156489
DIČ: CZ62156489
Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies
tř. Generála Píky 7, 613 00 Brno
IČO: 62156489
DIČ: CZ62156489