RUN-EU launches new programme to help students tackle real community challenges RUN-EU has introduced a new initiative called the Ready to Service Programme (RETOS), which is all about bringing students closer to real issues faced by people in their regions. Instead of learning only from textbooks, students will now have more chances to work directly with community partners and contribute to meaningful projects.RETOS is a programme built on shared principles, yet flexible enough to adapt to the unique context of each of the ten RUN-EU universities. At its core, students learn by helping others in their communities and engaging with real matters that affect people around them. Service-Learning The programme includes a strong Service-Learning element. Students from different countries work together to tackle shared social challenges, bringing diverse perspectives to common issues.Through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) courses, they follow a joint curriculum online and collaborate across borders. Guided by professors, they exchange ideas, compare local contexts, and design creative, shared solutions. Portal of Opportunities Another important feature is a new Portal of Opportunities, which acts as a meeting point between universities and community partners. Organisations from different regions will be able to post topics on which they would like assistance. Lecturers and students can then choose to work on these topics as part of their courses, final projects or dissertations. Volunteering Programme RETOS also includes a Volunteering Programme. Students will form mixed teams from different RUN-EU universities and volunteer in various locations — sometimes in small rural communities. Their projects may involve sustainability, digital skills, STEM outreach, or other local needs. Besides supporting communities, the experience will help students understand European values and see how international cooperation can make a difference on the ground. Connecting education with real societal needs Additionally, the programme offers training for both staff and students, including Short Advanced Programmes (SAPs), to help them learn how to use the Learning Service approach effectively while volunteering.Overall, the RETOS Programme shows RUN-EU’s commitment to connecting education with real societal needs. It brings universities and regions closer together and gives students the chance to grow, learn, and make a positive impact at the same time. Sarah Markewich Project Officer RUN-EU Contact