Ollscoil na Gaillimhe - University of Galway
EN-10: Community Partnerships

NUIG is an active member of Global Challenges University Alliance working to enhance the capacity of all partners to contribute to Agenda 2030 and the SDGs through international collaboration. The transformative change envisioned in UN’s Agenda 2030 will require active and strategic collaboration across different geographic and organisational levels. NUIG has a key role to play, not only in relation to SDG 4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning for all), but also by contributing knowledge and innovation that can contribute to achieving all SDGs. The link below provides more information:

https://www.slu.se/en/collaboration/international/slu-global/global-challenges-university-alliance/about-gcua/?submenu=open

Ryan Institute research partnership research on SDG target 7.1 with the World Bank on clean cooking and access to modern energy services has influenced World Bank energy policy in its flagship report on “The State of Access to Modern Energy Cooking Services https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/energy/publication/the-state-of-access-to-modern-energy-cooking-services .

A further link explaining more: https://www.nuigalway.ie/about-us/news-and-events/news-archive/2020/november/nui-galway-and-world-bank-research-finds-time-savings-key-to-household-stacking-of-cookstoves-in-developing-countries.html

NUIG collaborates with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland as a Sustainable Energy Community itself. It networks and shares with the other approx. 500 SECs in Ireland providing guidance and support. The aim is to support other communities on their sustainable energy journeys including disadvantaged communities. Galway City Council is focussing with the Galway Energy Cooperative on Westside (a disadvantaged community) as a decarbonisation zone and they aim to work with NUIG on decarbonisation pathways for this community and many others.

More information at this link: http://www.nuigalway.ie/sustainability/projectsresources/sustainableenergycommunitiessec/

NUIG's Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU centre) is advisor to Government on marine ocean economy issues and hosts an annual conference and produces publications on marine policies. Throughout 2020 SEMRU was a member of Marine Spatial Planning Advisory Group and Advisory Group on the expansion of Ireland’s network of Marine Protected Areas for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Several Whitaker Institute policy briefs were produced on oceans and human health, including ‘Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Protocols for Stakeholder Engagement’.

This link has more information: http://whitakerinstitute.ie/read/policy-briefs/

NUI Galway is committed to community and the development of positive impact on people’s lives. The NUI Galway Strategy 2020-2025: Shared Vison, Shaped by Values sets out our mission -NUI Galway is for the public good. By engaging in our region, locally, nationally and across the world, we are committed to delivering sustainable societal change. We are here for our society and our planet.

NUI Galway is committed to creating pathways to exchange knowledge with the community. The Community Knowledge Initiative fosters sustainability community-university partnerships through core academic activities, including teaching, research and management that aim to promote greater civic engagement among students and staff.

NUI Galway will continue to promote active sustainability community engagement by developing a mutually beneficial, knowledge-based collaboration between the institution and its staff and students and the wider community on sustainability through a range of activities including: service learning/community-based learning, volunteering, outreach programmes, community-campus partnerships and access programmes.

Already, over 14,000 students take part in service learning each academic year through their participation with over 500 community partners. Service learning encourages students to learn about issues vital to society and instil in students a sense of social responsibility and civic awareness.

A Learning Initiative and Volunteering Experience (ALIVE) is NUI Galway’s student volunteer programme. Over 1200 students are recognised each year for their volunteering commitment within a variety of pathways including community and non-governmental organisations through participation within societies and clubs and mentoring first year students.