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Become a societal partner in Community Service Learning

VU Amsterdam aims to make a positive impact in society. Through our Community Service Learning programme, we connect students with societal actors to collaborate on real-world challenges. Do you want to take part in the programme? Pose a case or question and we will try to contribute to sustainable solutions.

Who can participate?

In the Community Service Learning (CSL) programme, we collaborate with citizens initiatives, non-profits, local organisations in Amsterdam, and policy actors like municipalities. 

Why partner with VU Amsterdam?

  1. Innovative solutions | Our students will explore innovative approaches to your question or challenge by combining their academic knowledge with your organisation's experience. Together, you will co-create solutions, or implement evidence-based strategies that have a tangible impact.
  2. Enrich students' learning experiences | By joining the CSL programme, you give students the opportunity to become change agents, driving positive transformations in society. Your organisation becomes an invaluable learning environment, enabling students to develop practical skills, deepen their understanding, and nurture a sense of social responsibility.
  3. Long-term impact | CSL partnerships can go beyond individual projects. Through knowledge alliances we build sustainable, long-term connections that foster ongoing collaborations and drive positive societal change.

How will we collaborate?

Depending on the type of question that you pose, the VU CSL team will search for a matching education programme to contribute to addressing your case. There are different formats to shape the collaboration, varying from short-term, occasional partnerships, to in-depth, long-lasting collaborations and joining forces in reciprocal networks. More information in section on formats below.

Explore the possibilities 

Are you interested in participating in the Community Service Learning programme? Take one of the steps below, or contact the VU CSL team if you have any questions.

  • Meet & Match | Visit a regular Meet & Match event to get to know VU lecturers and students in an informal setting.
  • Submit your case | Pose your organisation's challenge and we will search for a matching education programme to address your case.
  • Join a knowledge alliance | Become a network partner on the theme of Sustainability, Mental Health or Inclusive Public Spaces. More information in section on alliances below.

Brian Smits, business development manager at Circularise

"The Community Service Learning programme matched us with students of the course 'Marketing Sustainable Innovations'. They studied how our organisation could shift from a focus on B2B, to business-to-consumer. The students really surprised us with innovative solutions, highlighting different vantage points. These enabled us to strategically change the positioning of our products and services."

Athena Science Shop

The Athena Institute operates a Science Shop since the 1990s, facilitating engagement between academia and non-commercial societal stakeholders. This means they specifically examine research questions proposed by non-profit, civil society and public organisations. By supporting these organisations, Athena aims to make positive contributions to people's lives and the world around us.

Propose to the Science Shop

Collaboration formats

  • One case, one course

    If your question is fairly straightforward, we can match you with a discipline-based course (e.g. within Economics, Health or Social Sciences). Students will address your case within one course period. If that gives enough time to answer your question or solve the issue, the collaboration may be terminated when the course ends. View an example

  • Long-term collaborations

    If you are facing a more complex challenge, we might involve multiple courses from different disciplines in a prolonged trajectory. This allows for a group of students to build on the insights and actions of a previous group of students, etc. By all working on the same issue and succeeding one another, students can achieve much more and offer sustainable solutions to complex problems. We could also address your case within one of our VU-wide, interdisciplinary courses. View an example

  • Knowledge alliances

    If your organisation is continuously involved in a broad societal theme, you may also consider to join one of our knowledge alliances. Within these networks, academic and societal actors collaborate for the long term on addressing challenges related to a broad topic. We currently focus on: Sustainability, Mental Health and Inclusive Public Spaces (more information below). Through these long-lasting connections, reciprocity increases and positive societal transformations accelerate. View an example

Knowledge alliance themes

  • Sustainability

    The world is currently facing multiple, intertwined sustainability crises, such as global warming, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and scarcities. The knowledge alliance on sustainability addresses topics like circular economy, food security, climate change and energy transition.

    In this network, VU Amsterdam is partnering with VoorUit, Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA), Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (OBA), and many others. Are you interested in joining? Contact the CSL team.

  • Mental health

    Addressing problems related to mental health and reducing stigma is crucial for a thriving society. The knowledge alliance on mental health focusses on topics like loneliness and spaces for mental strength.

    In this network, VU Amsterdam is partnering with VoorUit, Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA), Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (OBA) and Buurtcampus Nieuw-West, and many others. Are you interested in joining? Contact the CSL team.

  • Inclusive public spaces

    Inclusive and accessible public spaces are of great importance for a healthy work and living environment. We examine how to organise and design the city of Amsterdam in a more inclusive and accessible way for a bigger mental and physical diversity of citizens and visitors. This knowledge alliance focusses on topics like green living spaces and shared mobility.

    In this network, VU Amsterdam is partnering with Mobility Region Amsterdam, and many others. Are you interested in joining? Contact the CSL team.

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Contact us

Questions, or exploring possibilities?

CSL@vu.nl

Athena Institute, Faculty of Science
Science building (W&N), 5th floor, wing C

Contact

Prof. dr. Marjolein Zweekhorst
Dr. Eduardo Muniz Pereira Urias
  • Dr. Sarju Sing Rai
  • Assistant professor of competencies development through public engagement
  • s.s.rai@vu.nl
Dr. Sarju Sing Rai