The call The Sustainable Proposal Testbed is open to all university employees and offers an opportunity to create a more sustainable workplace and test the sustainability potential of an idea by using Lund University as a testbed.
Applicants can receive up to SEK 300,000 for project periods lasting up to twelve months. Twelve applications were submitted, and four have now been approved.
UniTogether: Empowering Social Sustainability at Lund University
Applicant: May Phyu Sin
Main sustainability aspect: Social sustainability
The project aims to increase students’ knowledge about disabilities and promote respectful interactions between students with and without disabilities. This will be achieved through workshops, a digital factsheet, and a podcast, developed in collaboration with student unions and LU Disability Services. The goal is to foster a more inclusive university environment where all students feel welcome, recognized, and safe.
AI-Purify: Demonstrating Sustainable Laboratory Wastewater Contaminant Capture Using de novo Designed Protein Binders
Applicant: Amijai Saragovi
Main sustainability aspect: Environmental sustainability
The project will develop an innovative bio-based filter with AI‑designed protein binders displayed on yeast, capable of capturing pharmaceutical residues in laboratory wastewater. By testing the technology in a real wastewater flow, the project aims to reduce environmental impact and help counteract the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The technology is scalable, resource‑efficient, and can position the university as a leader in developing next‑generation sustainable purification solutions. The project is carried out in collaboration with Kemicentrum and the company LivingFilters AB.
A Greener Garden: Improving Workflows to Reduce Peat and Synthetic Fertilizer Usage at LUBT
Applicant: Allison Perrigo
Main sustainability aspect: Environmental sustainability
The Botanical Garden continues its efforts to reduce the use of peat and synthetic fertilizers. The project tests organic fertilizers and new soil mixtures, develops a compost management protocol, and organizes a workshop combining research insights with practical experience. The aim is to reduce climate and environmental impact while inspiring the public to adopt more sustainable gardening and cultivation practices.
Building Belonging and Early Support: Community-Building Third Spaces for Campus Mental Well-Being
Applicant: Carina Tjörnstrand
Main sustainability aspect: Social sustainability
The project develops “third spaces” – informal meeting places for students and support staff – designed to reduce loneliness, strengthen community, support mental well‑being, and lower the threshold for help‑seeking. Activities are co‑designed with students, faculties, and support services to fit the needs and cultures of different campus environments. The outcome includes both implemented activities and a practical manual for sharing the model within and beyond the university.
About the Sustainability Fund
Since autumn 2022, all students and employees at Lund University have been able to apply for financial support from the university‑wide Sustainability Fund to develop new ideas. The fund has three separate calls that support initiatives across all dimensions of sustainability, including ecological, social, and economic aspects. By supporting ideas at an early stage, research and innovation can contribute to a positive societal transition.
Read more about the Sustainability Fund here: Lund University sustainability fund