Sustainable Micro-internships
Please complete an Expression of Interest form if you would like to be the first to know about our programmes applications going live in the future.
About the programme
The U21 Sustainable Micro-Internships are a 2-week online programme designed to give students the opportunity to collaborate with peers from across our global network. You will be introduced to an organisation that is actively working on advancing one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and you will be set a real-life current organisational challenge to work on, in small groups.
Why take part?
In addition to the opportunity to earn a digital micro-credential, you will also gain skills top employers demand including:
• Agility – the ability to adapt to new environments, to grasp topics outside of academic specialism and work with difference
• International Collaboration – first-hand experience of working across different time zones, languages and cultures, bringing together global knowledge to deliver results for an employer
• Influence – the ability to build trust and solve complex problems quickly
• Presentation Skills – the ability to clearly convey complex information to your stakeholders
Who can take part?
- Any registered student (undergraduate or postgraduate) at a U21 member university
- All applicants must be over the age of 18 at the time of the course start date
Please note that spaces are very limited, please ensure that you convert times to your time zones before applying. If you have any questions, please consult our FAQs.
Key dates
Applications for U21 Sustainable Micro Internships will open on 12 October 2026 and will close on 2 November 2026. To express an interest in this programme and other U21 Global Student programmes to be the first to know wen applications open, fill in this form.
| Internship Number and Programme Dates | Compulsory Live Sessions |
| Micro-Internship 1 Monday 30 November – Friday 11 December 2026 Theme – TBC | Tuesday 1 December and Thursday 10 December 2026 – 03:00 – 05.30 AM (GMT) |
| Micro-Internship 2 Monday 30 November – Friday 11 December 2026 Theme – TBC | Tuesday 1 December and Thursday 10 December 2026 – 17:00 – 19:30 (GMT) |
| Micro-Internship 3 Monday 11 January – Friday 22 January 2027 Theme – TBC | Tuesday 12 January and Thursday 21 January 2027 – 03:00 – 05.30 AM, (GMT ) |
| Micro-Internship 4 Monday 11 January – Friday 22 January 2027 Theme – TBC | Tuesday 12 January and Thursday 21 January 2027 – 17:00 – 19:30 (GMT) |
| Micro-Internship 5 Monday 8 February 2027 – Friday 19 February 2027 TBC | Tuesday 9 February and Thursday 18 February 2027 – 05.00 – 07.30 AM (GMT) |
| Micro-Internship 6 Monday 8 February 2027 – Friday 19 February 2027 TBC | Tuesday 9 February and Thursday 18 February 2027 – 14.00 – 16.30 (GMT) |
Time commitment
Approximately 5.5 hours per week for two weeks, comprised of:
- 2.5 hours live session per week
- 2-3 hours per week of Individual and group work in-between sessions
Participant reflections
The programme offers a great opportunity to collaborate with student from various backgrounds, countries, mindsets, cultures but with a common aim towards sustainability. This helps understand the different ways in which people are tackling this common issue. You get to work on your collaborative and leadership skills. So overall its a great opportunity to work on a project with international perspectives.”
Participant, Lund University, Sustainable Micro-internships participant 2024/25
Who are Common Purpose?
Common Purpose is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 1989 that develops leaders who can operate across boundaries.
This programme is offered in partnership with, and facilitated by Common Purpose – drawing on their 30 years of thought leadership and experiential global learning programmes for diverse international audiences.