The Service-Learning program at the University of La Laguna, supported by the Tenerife Island Council, recently organized the workshop ‘Municipality in Action: Creating Solutions with the Community through Service-Learning’. The event featured Mar Cruz Mora, coordinator of the Municipal Service-Learning Office of the Coslada City Council and vice-president of the Spanish Network for this field, who shared her experience in developing ApS initiatives from the municipal level.
The activity, aimed at technical staff from city councils, associations, and community work professionals, sought to deepen the understanding of Service-Learning fundamentals and the role of public administrations in promoting projects linked to local social needs. Formulas for collaboration between educational institutions, administrations, social entities, and citizens were analyzed, highlighting ApS's potential for generating joint responses and strengthening networking.
The meeting focused on the role of municipal technical staff in driving these initiatives, exploring various ways to encourage local administrations' participation in projects that combine this methodology with community service.
“"Service-Learning allows public administrations to connect with the real needs of the community and generate shared projects with educational centers, social entities, and citizens that have a concrete impact on the territory."
The social impact of Service-Learning projects was also discussed, based on a study by the Spanish network regarding community perception of these initiatives. The analysis aimed to broaden the perspective beyond educational benefits, reflecting on the transformations they generate in territories.
Mª Auxiliadora Gabino Campos, the program's director, stated that such encounters "allow us to bring Service-Learning closer to those who know the territory's needs firsthand and can help transform those needs into collaborative projects with the University." She emphasized the importance of participation from local administrations and associations in consolidating networks among the University, social entities, and the community.
The initiative facilitated the exchange of experiences among community work professionals and reflection on the opportunities Service-Learning offers for creating synergies between the University and various territorial stakeholders. The activity is part of the actions undertaken by the University of La Laguna to consolidate this methodology and strengthen collaboration with administrations and entities.
