Community and Public Engagement

Universities and colleges are now expected to demonstrate their value to wider society. They are often uniquely placed to engage with their communities and the wider public in ways which support the development of sustainable local communities.

Institutions can function as important conduits for partnership working by stimulating and supporting meaningful relationships for mutual benefit within the wider community, using internal expertise to contribute to local strategic partnerships and energising them to contribute to an area’s regeneration or development. Outreach programmes and/or activities to widen participation and promote inclusion in the local area can also contribute significantly to the development of otherwise neglected sections of society.

Institutions are also often significant contributors to the local economy, whether directly through the procurement of local products and services or indirectly by strengthening the resilience of the local workforce by supporting skills development.

EAUC-Scotland's Community Engagement Topic Support Network (TSN) is open to all, providing an opportunity for those working in or with the further and higher education sector to share ideas and questions and to get together to hear from particular speakers or discuss topics of interest. Find out more about the TSNs here.