Inclusive Leadership: Driving Change through People and Purpose
Inclusive Leadership: Driving Change through People and Purpose
Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme hosted by Varna University of Management, Bulgaria
Academic year 2025/2026
Objectives of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)
The BIP aims to introduce students to the theme of leadership within the context of change management. It is designed to develop an understanding within the students of the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership in organisations and assess the knowledge and skills needed to be able to examine their own leadership styles and competences and those of others.
The students will also develop an understanding of the concept of change management within organisations and how it can be brought about. The BIP also aims to consolidate the students’ learning by incorporating strategic applications of management in the key areas of finance, human resources, and marketing.
Learning outcomes of the BIP
Following successful completion of the BIP, the students will be able to demonstrate ability to:
- Critically evaluate internal and external factors that impact on organisations as an impetus for change.
- Analyse strengths and weaknesses of a range of approaches to leadership at individual, group, and organisational levels.
- Identify appropriate tools and techniques to aid the planning, implementation, and evaluation of change.
- Critically evaluate barriers to change and identify effective ways to overcome such barriers.
- Identify and evaluate a range of strategies and methods to ensure that change is successfully implemented and sustainable.
- Explain alternative models of changes and the role of leadership within them.
Indicative content
- Leadership: approaches and theories of leadership
- Hard and soft models of change
- Organisational culture and values and its impact on leadership and change
- Barriers to change and how to overcome them
- Implementing sustainable change: future directions and challenges.
- Understanding the importance of organisations’ mission and vision statements to underpin change.
- Innovation and creativity: power, influence, and authority.
Tentative timeframe
Physical component: 5 days in the period of 15 – 19 June 2026
Virtual component: 8 contact hours delivered in the period of 29 June – 3 July 2026.
Venue: Albena resort (approx. 30 km north of Varna)
Number of ECTS: 3
Profile of BIP participants
Students from EU Member States and third countries associated to the Erasmus+ Programme, who are enrolled in programmes in the field of Social Sciences, incl. Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, etc.
Eligibility of students
- Be registered as full-time students of any of VUM’s current or potential new partner universities located in the EU, Norway, or Turkey.
- Have applied for and obtained approval for participation in an Erasmus+ short-term mobility granted by their home institution
- Have English language proficiency corresponding to at least level B1.
Minimum BIP requirements
Number of student BIP participants: min.15 students from sending institutions.
Application process
- BIP student participants must apply for an Erasmus+ KA131 BIP grant for short-term mobility at their home institution (please contact the International Relations Office of your University).
- The home institution nominates their student participant(s) – home institutions are encouraged to initiate an internal call.
- Students interested in the BIP are encouraged to establish contact with VUM International Mobility Team (erasmus@vum.bg) for any questions, support or invitation letters, needed for applying for the grant at the home institution.
- Deadline for nominations of students by their home institution to VUM: 31 March 2026
- Nominations are to be emailed to erasmus@vum.bg.
Erasmus+ grant for BIP participants to VUM
Basic subsistence costs: 79 EUR per day x 7 days (5 days on the spot + 2 days for travel) = 553 EUR
Possible top-ups: travel costs support, incl. green travel; inclusion top-up, if applicable.
Costs for travel, accommodation, and subsistence are covered by the Erasmus+ participants through their Erasmus+ grant.