Circular Economy and Sustainable Practices to Promote a Well-being Economy in Higher Education (SUSWELL)

General Overview

The SUSWELL project aims to promote a well-being economy within society and university institutions through an integrated One Health approach.

The primary objective is to establish a multidisciplinary network involving the University of Murcia, the University of Santiago de Compostela, Nantes Université, and the University of Cologne to address environmental sustainability and climate change.

Additionally, SUSWELL aims to create a platform for students and young researchers to exchange projects, improve their communication skills and professional growth, and facilitate international collaboration among institutions to promote activities and research on sustainability, climate change mitigation, and circular economy practices.

Three piles of coins with young plant rootings on top

© Nattanan Kanchanaprat, Pixabay

Purpose and Significance

The proposed project aligns with EUniWell's strategy by establishing a collaborative network among students, researchers, and professors to promote a well-being economy. This network aims to devise strategies for enhancing individual and collective well-being economies, focusing on circular economy principles, zero-waste sustainability, and climate change mitigation. These topics are closely related to Arena 3: Environmental Change and Well-Being, one of the five distinct research arenas created by EUniWell, linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Partners involved in SUSWELL are continuously trained and work in areas such as environmental sustainability, CO2 capture, waste treatment and revaluation, and the economics of greenhouse gas mitigation. These areas are interdependent, and their integration contributes to a holistic approach that enhances overall well-being by ensuring a healthier, more stable, and sustainable environment for everyone. The EUniWell partnership not only contributes new knowledge to sustainability and climate change mitigation for well-being but also promotes critical thinking and interdisciplinarity.

Implementation Method and Timeline

The project progresses through strategic initiatives:

  1. Webinars discussing scientific research's role in progressing towards a well-being economy model, with a focus on sustainability and climate change, from September 2024 to May 2025. In these webinars, a specific space will be created for students and young researchers to share and showcase their work, and to interact with network members.
  2. Mobility grants to facilitate knowledge exchange and support EUniWell’s objectives from September 2024 to June 2025. These missions promote collaboration and knowledge exchange among students, researchers, and educators from project-affiliated institutions. Through interdisciplinary partnerships, they aim to develop innovative solutions for sustainability and climate change. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to enhance well-being within institutions and society.
  3. Onsite Workshop that includes expert talks, practical activities, and site visits related to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation (first semester of 2025). 

Expected Outcomes

The main expected outcomes comprise the establishment of a multidisciplinary network focusing on environmental sustainability and climate change within the well-being economy framework. Additionally, a platform for students and young researchers will be developed to exchange ideas for enhancing community sustainability. Furthermore, international exchange among project institutions will be facilitated to advance the establishment of a well-being economy through skill acquisition.

Contact:

Ana Sánchez Zurano, University of Murcia