EUniWell launches Civic Leadership Blog: A platform for engagement and exchange

07/01/2025 | by Helen Hook

The new Civic Leadership Blog provides a platform for collaboration, reflection and exchange between students, universities and societal partners. It supports EUniWell’s commitment to civic engagement and social well-being across Europe.

A large group of people is standing side by side outdoors, with their arms around each other’s backs and shoulders, forming a close, supportive line. They are facing away from the camera towards the sunlight in a park. The group is highly diverse in terms of age, ethnicity, and style. Above them is a text in a blue-to-pink gradient reads "civic leadership".

"Civic engagement is crucial for a healthy democracy, encompassing participation in public life, influencing policy, and contributing to social cohesion through various means, including volunteering and community involvement." - The European Commission

As societies across Europe face increasing political, social, and ecological challenges, the role of civic leadership in strengthening democratic resilience and social cohesion has never been more vital. While pursuing well-being and quality of life for European citizens, two critical imperatives of our time need to be addressed:

  • Firstly, the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration is clear. Students, universities and external stakeholders must work together to address the complex challenges of this century and, in doing so, foster a shared sense of well-being across communities.
  • Secondly, universities have a responsibility to align education and research more closely with real societal needs. By creating learning environments that connect academic work to social reality, higher education can empower students to become engaged, responsible citizens.

In response to these needs, and as part of its wider commitment to civic leadership, EUniWell has launched the Civic Leadership Blog. This new platform is dedicated to sharing ideas, highlighting opportunities and showcasing initiatives that link universities with society. It brings together partners from across the alliance to exchange knowledge, promote collaboration and support civic engagement in all its forms.

The blog features contributions from students, educators and external partners and offers a space for sharing research, classroom experiences and examples of practice rooted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Opportunities to get involved

The Civic Leadership Blog is open to contributions from all parts of the EUniWell community  and beyond.

  • Students can discover a wide range of civic leadership opportunities across the alliance, including internships, virtual and physical exchanges, job placements and project-based learning formats aligned with the SDGs.
  • Educators are encouraged to engage with the civic leadership network and contribute news articles. These may include research findings, ongoing projects or teaching materials such as guidance on how to embed the SDGs in academic curricula.
  • External partners will find opportunities to collaborate with universities in addressing social needs within an academic framework. One established model is the International Service-Learning Project, which connects students with communities through shared challenges and co-creation.

The Civic Leadership Blog reflects EUniWell’s wider mission: to contribute to individual and societal well-being by strengthening the civic role of universities

Contact: If you  have any questions, please email Helen Hook (University of Birmingham) 

 

­Stay in touch & up-to-date!

Follow us on our social media channels:

Bluesky
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook

And subscribe to our EUniWell newsletter for regular highlights and save-the-dates to upcoming EUniWell events delivered straight to your inbox:

https://www.euniwell.eu/news-events/newsletter

Back