NextGen Impact Forum: HSG students are driving forward concrete sustainability projects

The ‘SHSG Next Gen Impact Innovation Award’ recognises HSG student initiatives that have a positive social or environmental impact. There are officially over 150 student societies and initiatives at the HSG – and many smaller projects are also running behind the scenes.

On 22 April, six initiatives presented themselves to an audience and a jury at the ‘NextGen Impact Forum’. The winning project was to receive prize money of 2,000 Swiss francs to help bring its ideas to fruition.

The range of projects presented was striking: among others, proposals included greening the terraces on the HSG campus, a university course on sustainability consulting, and a mentoring programme for disadvantaged young people. Other initiatives ranged from sustainable viticulture in Valais to a simulation of international politics for students, and a platform that brings students and senior citizens together in shared accommodation.

The ‘NextGen Impact Forum’ was organised by graduates of the HSG certificate programme ‘Integrative Sustainability Management’ (SuM-HSG). The programme is aimed at Bachelor’s students and combines academic content with projects that have a tangible social or environmental impact in the region.

Strengthening collaboration within the HSG

The aim of the forum is to strengthen collaboration within the university and raise students’ awareness of global challenges. 

This year’s event was held under the title ‘Reinventing Impact: Strategies for Change in a Volatile World’.

Following their pitches, the initiatives were assessed by a jury of HSG alumni who now work in the field of sustainability:

• William Oyndt Beiskjær, co-founder of the start-up upgrain
• Sofia Jordan, analyst at Innovate 4 Nature
• Maura Hegi, consultant at Ecoleader
• Leonardo Moser, President of the SHSG
• Pascal Vuichard, permanent HSG lecturer in Managing Climate Solutions

The decision on the winner of the ‘SHSG Next Gen Impact Innovation Award’ was then made through a combined vote by the jury and the audience. First place comes with a prize of 2,000 Swiss francs, and second place with 500 Swiss francs; both prizes are sponsored by the Student Union of the University of St. Gallen (SHSG).

The winning projects:

Legmon – an initiative for disadvantaged young people, including a free mentoring programme

CoNest – a platform that connects senior citizens with spare accommodation with students, who in return provide occasional support with everyday tasks

SuMrise on the Terraces – a project to green the terrace of the HSG main building and repurpose it as a place for learning and socialising

Other projects presented:

St. Gallen Model United Nations – Mini MUN – a one-day simulation of global politics for HSG students

Student Impact – Be The Change – an official HSG course on sustainability consulting for HSG students

Valais Wine Society – a project promoting organic viticulture in the Valais region through wine tours and a sales platform

The pitching of the initiatives was just the start of the forum. The programme also included a roundtable on career planning in the sustainability sector, a pitching session for start-ups in the renewable energy sector, and various workshops.