Civic Leadership Blog
“Civic engagement as 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
Today’s social, political, and ecological challenges and the simultaneous thrive for Europeans’ citizens well-being and quality of life leads to two inevitable realisations:
- The need for cross-sectoral collaborations between students, universities, and external stakeholders to face as well as find solutions to our century’s challenges – to strengthen the common feeling of well-being.
- The need of universities to align research and education with real social needs and issues – to reinforce a university’s role in and responsibility for society as well as to provide a learning environment in which students are enabled to become responsible citizens.
To support this and EUniWell’s ongoing commitment in promoting civic leadership and social well-being, the Civic Leadership Blog brings together partners from university and society to share research and opportunities for collaboration and exchange.
Get involved
- As a student you can read about civic leadership opportunities happening across the alliance, both virtual and physical. Explore internships, job opportunities and project-based classrooms that follow the UN SDGs.
- As an educator you can read about our civic leadership network opportunities and submit news articles to share across the alliance. This can be research, project or classroom related e.g. guidelines to support embedding the UN SDGs in your classroom
- As an external partner you can find collaborative opportunities, as well as contacts to address a (social) need to be addressed in an academic environment. A popular example includes our flagship International Service-Learning Project!
Contact: If you have any questions, please email Helen Hook (University of Birmingham)
Beyond distance learning: place-based higher education through local study centres
What does it mean to have a real choice about your future when you live far from a university campus? In Sweden, this question is at the heart of how education is organised when the nearest university is far. Instead of expecting young people and adults to move to metropolitan regions, Swedish…
by Mattias Lundin
Linnaeus University strengthens collaboration with local and regional EUniWell partners
Linnaeus University and its local and regional partners within the EUniWell Alliance have taken an important step forward in their joint efforts to promote a sustainable future, and enhance well-being. During a first workshop held in Kalmar on 1 October 2025, representatives from municipalities,…
by Karin Wickenberg
Food security: EUniWell Service Learning seminar with Amnesty International Konstanz
The EUniWell Service Learning seminar brought together students from across Europe to explore food security through creative activism. This reflection highlights the collaborative projects, inspiring ideas, and lessons learned along the way.
by Nina Mosseri, University of Konstanz
Service Learning in practice: A personal perspective
The EUniWell Service Learning Programme enables students from across Europe to apply their skills in real projects that support society and the environment. In this blog post, Markus Brandl shares his personal perspective as a lecturer in the programme.
by Markus Brandl
Migration as co-creation - A positive force for open societies
Migration is too often framed as a “problem”. This essay suggests looking at it instead as a creative force that strengthens open societies and helps democracies flourish. Two courses at Blumenfeld Castle illustrate this through artistic methods: flamenco dance and puppetry.
by Dr. Albert Kümmel-Schnur
Crafting for Change: Students Promote Food Security through International Service-Learning
The EUniWell International Service-Learning Project provides learners with a structured, yet experiential learning opportunity where students work with other international students to help make a difference! Read more about how students designed craftivism campaigns for food security to support…
by Olivia Howell, University of Birmingham
Designing for Well-being: How to Move Past Gender Bias in Everyday Life
Imagine a world where every tool, technology, and service is designed with all people in mind. Breaking away from the “default male” bias is essential to get there. With its commitment to advancing well-being for the whole of society, an alliance like EUniWell can point the way toward a more…
by Eva López, University of Santiago de Compostela
Empowering young generations: the EUniWell School Ambassador Programme
Recognising education as a cornerstone of societal progress, the EUniWell School Ambassador Programme seeks to support and empower young generations in their journey towards university.
by Federica Roldi
Enterprise Education and Civic Leadership: A synergistic relationship
The integration of Enterprise Education, civic leadership, and social well-being is crucial for preparing students to navigate the complexities of the modern world. The EUniWell Civic Leadership project exemplifies how collaboration between universities and external stakeholders can create…
by Helen Hook
