Service learning in higher education - fostering the third mission of universities and civic engagement of students

The project founded on the most up-to-date reflection of universities about their own roles within modern society and the binds between their components, institutions and community. The connection between higher education area and society is seen as the third mission of universities. The strategy developed world-wide in relation to the 3rd mission for several decades, is service-learning. Thanks to it, universities fulfill their basic mission in a complex way and prepare a new generation of experts able to integrate academic qualities, social responsibility and civic engagement. Some HEI in European higher education area have been applying service-learning strategy for several years, however, it begins to be discovered or still remains unknown in most countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The same is true for the reflection about the social role of universities. The main aim of the project is to strenghten capacities of HEIs related to the fulfillment of their 3rd mission and to enhance civic engagement of students through implementation of the innovative service-learning strategy in the region of Central and Eastern Europe. The partial aim of the project is to improve quality and relevance of study offer in the field of implementation of service-learning strategy in the higher education curricula through development of training curricula and materials adapted to the context of Central and Eastern European countries. The project is based upon experience and expertise of partners from 6 EU and 2 non-EU countries (associated partners) in the field of implementation of service-learning strategy, putting forward new international, innovative and so far unrealized outcomes. The project coordinator is Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica. Project partners come from Czech Republic, Romania, Croatia, Germany and Austria. There is more than 480 participants presumably involved in the project. The number include teachers, students, target groups in the communities, conference participants. There will be at least 112 individuals lacking opportunities.