In July 2026, the University of Georgia (UG) organised training sessions on Community Engagement (CE) and Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) for its academic and administrative staff and students within the framework of the ENHANCE-GSL project. The sessions were delivered by UG trainers who had strengthened their expertise through the project’s Training of Trainers programme.
The training for administrative staff took place online on 1 July and involved five participants. A separate three-session training for academic staff and students was held in a hybrid format on 14–16 July, bringing together 15 participants.
The sessions aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of how universities can address societal needs through meaningful cooperation with local communities. Academic staff and students explored how community needs can be integrated into teaching, learning and research, while administrative staff focused on the institutional support, coordination and procedures needed to facilitate sustainable university–community partnerships.
Through presentations, discussions, case studies, simulations and reflection exercises, participants explored the principles of effective community engagement, its benefits for universities and communities, and practical approaches to planning and evaluating community-engaged initiatives.