From 9 to 11 October, the Short Advanced Programme (SAP) ‘Service Learning Programme for Lecturers‘ concluded with a face-to-face week at the University of Burgos. This SAP, a collaboration between the University of Burgos (UBU), the NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, and the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, brought together a diverse group of professionals.

More than 40 lecturers from all RUN-EU member universities participated. During this SAP, the lecturers not only deepened their knowledge of this methodology but also reached a consensus on how to implement it in the RUN-EU Alliance. It’s worth mentioning that the SAP involved the collaboration of several NGOs and associations based in Burgos: Ábrego, ACCEM, Amycos, and Hechos, which were key elements for the understanding of this methodology. 

During the final session, five interdisciplinary and international groups presented their proposals based on the needs of such organisations. Participants also committed to implementing a significant number of service-learning pilots in each community and to involving civil society in their projects. 

The long-term goal of RUN-EU is to institutionalise this methodology across all institutions. While we recognise that there is still a long way to go, we are encouraged by the significant progress made during this SAP and the strong links between participants.

The next step, which we look forward to taking with the active participation of all partners, will be the launch of an international call for RUN-EU service-learning projects by the end of the year.

These activities are designed in the RUN-EU European Stakeholder Engagement Centre (RUN-ESEC) to stimulate cooperation between universities and our societies.