International Development Project

International Development Project

For the third time the EBF is initiating the International Development Project in 2026! This project will focus on conducting research in a foreign country for a period of two weeks, followed by two weeks of travelling across the country on your own terms! The destination of this project will be the beautiful country of South Africa. And the good news is: you can join us there and be part of this adventure! The IDP committee will recruit 15 highly motivated CV-selected FEB students in the first two weeks of December. The actual trip itself is scheduled from April 20nd to May 21st.

Moreover, the research in South Africa will be carried out in collaboration with Stellenbosch University according to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. To prepare you for the journey, you will be asked to attend a course (5 ECTs) in block 2.1 dedicated to this project to fully equip you with the skills necessary to conduct your research. 

The research in South Africa will be carried out in collaboration with Stellenbosch University and will be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals from the United Nations. Stellenbosch is a beautiful university town in South Africa’s Western Cape province, approximately 50 km's from Cape Town. This mountainous town is known for its vineyards, student life, and rich history. This year's research theme is Exploring Institutional Influence on Sustainability in the Social Entrepreneurship context. Where we aimed to study how formal and informal institutional frameworks affect social entrepreneurship on a sustainable matter. For the purpose of the research you will be split up into groups which focus on specific aspects of the research project. 

To prepare you for the journey, you will attend a course (5 ECTS) dedicated to this project to fully equip you with the skills necessary to conduct your research during block 2.1. Following up on this, during the two weeks of research in Stellenbosch, you will collaborate with local students from the Small Business Academy of Stellenbosch University and work in focus groups. There will be visits organized (for example, to the HIV/AIDS Centre and the Sustainability Centre) which will help you to gain the information necessary for contextualizing the research. You will complete the course with a final presentation of your research by the end of the second research week. This way you will be done with the coursework before your two weeks of  traveling on your own.  Detailed information about the course will be made available in Ocasys from September 2026 onwards. 

Your IDP adventure begins on the first Monday of block 2.1, 2025-2026. There will be weekly mandatory course lectures for 7 weeks and most weeks we will follow up the lecture by a group dinner and social until we depart to South Africa. After we return to the Netherlands, we will finalize the entire project with a celebratory event in Groningen. 

The total participation fee will be €1250 and includes flight to and from South Africa, accommodation for the first two weeks, and transportation costs for the first two weeks. After the first two weeks you embark on a South African adventure of your own design and budget. 

In sum, the International Development Project offers you the unique opportunity to gain experience in conducting international research, earn 5 ECTS, boost your CV, develop your teamworking skills and make many new friendships!

HOW TO APPLY?

After applying for the project on the website, you will receive an email asking to send your motivation letter together with your CV.

Deadline to apply: 17th of November 2025

Deadline for the case: TBA.

DONATIONS 

We as a committee are working really hard on getting funds from companies and subsidies but are also reliable on voluntary donations.In order for our students to be able to conduct their research in Stellenbosch, they need to raise money themselves as well. And that is where you might come in! We would therefore highly appreciate the gesture of a donation, big or small, in order for us to continue with the research project. All the money donated will be used only for the research part of the project. Deadline for the case: TBA.

COMMITTEE RECRUITMENT (APRIL 2026)

For next year's edition, the EBF will be recruiting a new International Development Project Committee from April 2026! Are you ready for a new adventure? Are you eager to work on a big research project, taking place in Stellenbosch, South Africa? Together with five other committee members, you will be in charge of the organisation, recruitment of participants and the programme for the first two weeks in Stellenbosch. After these first two weeks of conducting research, you and your committee members as well as all participants get the chance to travel by themselves. Are you ready to develop your skills, work closely together with five other committee members, and have the experience of a lifetime? Then you should apply for the International Development Project Committee! After applying for the committee, by sending your motivation letter together with your CV, you will get a short case. 

Any questions? Feel free to send an email to: a.maas@ebfgroningen.nl

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