Guided tours
Urban planning
Energy transition
Virtual visits
Sustainable mobility
Seminars
Organic agriculture
Lectures
Waste- and water management
Environmental education
Climate protection
Projects
About us
Our non-profit association, Innovation Academy, organizes specialized trips, excursions and educational tours with a focus on topics related to innovation and sustainable development.
The topics we address include mobility and urban planning, architecture and rehabilitation of old buildings, energy transition and renewable energies, climate and environmental protection, organic farming, water and waste management, and more.
We also contribute to climate protection and sustainability with projects that we initiate ourselves.
Our offers
For school classes we develop interactive offers that not only provide information but also enable active participation with hands-on activities and scavenger hunts. For universities, we offer comprehensive support for faculty-led study trips and for expert groups, we arrange tailor-made programs and are also happy to help with logistical details. We make our topics accessible to those who may not be able to visit in person through interactive online programs.
Where we are active
Our activities focus on the tri-national region of the Upper Rhine which includes the Greencity Freiburg in the Black Forest, Basel and Zurich in northwestern Switzerland and the French cities of Mulhouse and Strasbourg in Alsace. We offer both short guided tours lasting 3 hours or more as well as extensive programs lasting several days at these locations. With the help of our network, we also organize study trips to Hamburg and Munich in Germany or to other major European cities such as Barcelona, Copenhagen and Paris. Take a look at our destinations for more inspiration.
Testimonials
Carol J. Hager
Professor of Environmental Studies & Political Science – Bryn Mawr College
Since 2015, Bryn Mawr College has partnered with the Innovation Academy Freiburg to organize faculty-led study trips focused on sustainability, climate change, and energy transition. The Innovation Academy provides comprehensive on-site support, including program design, logistics, accommodations, and access to a wide network of local experts and institutions.
Through this collaboration, students engage directly with practitioners from civil society, research institutes, businesses, and local government, gaining first-hand insight into Freiburg’s role as a leading “green city.” The Innovation Academy is a highly reliable and flexible partner, able to tailor programs to specific academic goals and ensure a smooth and enriching experience for both faculty and students.
Dr. Jeff Loux (Retired)
Associate Dean and Professor, Department of Urban Ecology, Environmental Design Program – UC Davis
For over a decade, the Innovation Academy Freiburg has been an exceptional partner for the University of California, Davis in the faculty-led course Sustainable Cities of Northern Europe. The Academy provides outstanding academic and logistical support and gives students direct access to Freiburg’s sustainability ecosystem.
Through expertly curated field visits, speakers, and a strong local network, Steffen Ries and his team bring urban sustainability concepts to life. I highly recommend the Innovation Academy for faculty-led programs in sustainability and urban planning.
Ed Gatzke
Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering – University of South Carolina
From 2010 to 2025, the University of South Carolina partnered with the Innovation Academy Freiburg for the faculty-led Global Classroom Maymester: Next Energy Germany. Across twelve program iterations, the Academy consistently delivered some of the most meaningful learning experiences of the course.
The Innovation Academy combines expert-led site visits, field excursions, and interactive teaching with exceptional flexibility and reliability. I strongly recommend them as a trusted partner for faculty-led study abroad programs in the Freiburg region.
Get a quote for your customized study trips on sustainability topics. It would be our pleasure to plan and organize a tailored and comprehensive program that can include translation, accommodation, meals, transfers and a framework program for you. Whether you are a professional delegation, school class or student group, please contact us so we can send you an offer tailored to your interests, budget and availability.
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