Karlstad week

The students (except for the Karlstad students) where all booked at Karlstad City Hostel. A small hotel/hostel with lounge/dining room for the students to meet and hang out during off hours of the program. The fact that the students had the hostel all to themselves turned out to be a contributing factor in the students getting to know each other. 

First day
The Karlstad students met the students at the hostel and guided them to Karlstad University. The project manager of CR8E8 Europe greeted the students and gave an overall view of the project in general and the Karlstad week in particular. In advance goodie had been prepared with contact information, week schedule, pictures of all delegates, lunch coupons as well as bus tickets and maps. The program proceeded with a workshop called “Knowing me, knowing you” The students were divided into groups ad were assigned different tasks in humors and playful atmosphere. It didn’t take long before cheer and laughter filled the room. 

After the workshop the Swedish students gave their new friends a guided tour of the Karlstad University campus. This tour also included a meeting with the vice chancellor as well as the head of department of External Relations. The first day continued with a pitch training course in order to prepare the students for upcoming tasks.

Day 2 - first assignment
Löfbergs is a famliy owned coffe company that has been producing coffee for generations. In later years they also started producing other beverages and snacks. The company is facing challenges when it comes to future generations. Fewer farmers wants to grow coffee and the coffee consumption is declining worldwide. The task that was given to the students: “How can Löfbergs become more relevant and create value for Next Generation?”
Among the things that stood out for the winning team was the focus on education for the farmers as local events in KarlstadDay two ended with a project dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3 – Cultural activities
A brisk morning greeted the students as day three was more of a cultural field trip. Mariebergsskogen is a city park, including some historical sites and a small zoo. The day went on with a boat ride on the city rivers and a luncheon at the Governors residence.
After lunch the student cohort and staff were invited to visit the production site of Löfbergs Coffee Group.

Day 4 Second – assignment
Karlstad Energi is a publicly owned corporation producing heat end electricity to the citizens of Karlstad. The company wishers to reduce waste my making the garbage bag obsolete.The task assignment was: “How can we make the waste bin bag obsolete” The winning team won by focusing on changing the garbage bins making them hold different compartments. 

Both task owners were happy with the results. The pitches were transferred to the task owners at the end of each day. We the students were allowed to watch the pitches after a winners was appointed. 

Day 5 – summing up
The entire cohort met up at the local convention center to sum up the week, do evaluations and meet the press. Two papers and a radio station covered the event.