Kozani, December 2024 – In a strategic and forward-looking dialogue, the SPM² Project was presented to key organizers of TEDxUOWM, an independent TEDx initiative driven by students and faculty of the University of Western Macedonia. This exclusive meeting marked a unique opportunity to align sustainable project management principles with a youth-led platform renowned for spreading transformative ideas.
Bridging Innovation and Sustainability through PM²
The objective of this closed-session presentation was to explore how the SPM² learning framework—centered on ESG-integrated project management and the PM² methodology—could enrich the design, planning, and delivery of the upcoming TEDxUOWM event. The discussion emphasized the practical application of digital tools, sustainability metrics, and project structuring models aligned with EU priorities.
Key goals of the session included:
Showcasing the role of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) in shaping sustainable entrepreneurship and youth education.
Advocating for the application of the PM² methodology in grassroots initiatives, such as TEDxUOWM, to foster innovation, transparency, and impact.
Highlighting real-world success stories where ESG-informed project management has created tangible social and environmental value.
Expanding the SPM² expert network by engaging dynamic students and stakeholders committed to purpose-driven event organization.
A Youth-Centered Dialogue
Participants in the meeting included young organizers of TEDxUOWM and expert stakeholders with backgrounds in management, education, and sustainability policymaking. Their presence provided a dynamic environment for co-creation, knowledge exchange, and forward planning.
The TEDxUOWM team expressed strong enthusiasm for embedding sustainability more deliberately in the structure of their event—both in terms of content and project governance. The dialogue sparked ideas for future collaborative training sessions, webinars, and pilot initiatives that could involve university students and youth entrepreneurs under the umbrella of the SPM² project.
Feedback and Forward Momentum
Feedback from the meeting underscored a shared commitment to cultivating future-oriented skills and values. Participants welcomed the SPM² framework as a potential cornerstone for educating and empowering young people interested in sustainable innovation, with many expressing a desire for continued updates and involvement in future activities.
As one student organizer remarked: “This is the kind of toolset we need—not only to manage events effectively but to make sure we’re doing it with purpose and responsibility.”
Visibility and Strategic Impact
While this session was not open to the public, it played a critical role in SPM²’s visibility strategy by targeting influential local actors and rising youth leaders. Establishing direct connections with TEDxUOWM organizers strengthens the project’s credibility and lays the groundwork for long-term collaboration across higher education and civil society networks.
This exchange represents a pivotal step in embedding ESG principles into grassroots innovation efforts, with the potential to inspire TEDx participants and audiences far beyond the event itself.
The SPM² project continues to engage visionary learners, educators, and practitioners across Europe in rethinking how we manage projects for a more sustainable future. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to join the movement.
