The Centre for Sustainable Development at the University of Gdańsk (CZRUG) and the RC Foundation (Regional Centre for Information and Support for Non-Governmental Organisations) will jointly develop initiatives to promote cooperation between the university and civil society organisations. During the meeting, Dr hab. Sylwia Mrozowska, prof. UG, Director of the Centre, and Łukasz Samborski, Chair of the RC Foundation, signed a letter of intent setting out the direction for future cooperation.
The collaboration between CZRUG and the RC Foundation will be based on combining the academic potential of the University of Gdańsk with the experience of civil society organisations and their understanding of the needs of local communities. One of its key areas will be the Migration Observatory, which will monitor and analyse migration processes at local, regional and national levels. Through its direct work with civil society organisations and local communities, the RC Foundation brings a practical perspective to this collaboration. It can supplement the data and analyses carried out by the Migration Observatory, as well as support their use in initiatives promoting integration and addressing the challenges associated with migration.
The potential of the ‘Cooperation with the Social Environment’ programme will also be utilised in this collaboration; the programme aims to develop lasting relationships between the University of Gdańsk and civil society organisations, and to create the conditions for the implementation of joint initiatives. The programme provides a platform for combining the expertise of the academic community with the experience of social partners – from jointly identifying needs and challenges, through project development, to activities involving students, researchers and representatives of social organisations.
“The partnership with CZRUG is an important step in the development of our organisation, as well as a mark of confidence in our expertise. Thanks to this partnership, both parties will move from analysis to concrete action on the ground. One of our first joint ideas is to create an Intercultural Library as an open space for integration, the exchange of experiences and the enhancement of knowledge.” – says Łukasz Samborski, Chair of the RC Foundation.
The signed letter of intent marks the start of a new phase in CZRUG’s collaboration with the non-governmental sector. The main outcome is expected to be specific projects and initiatives in which academic knowledge will be combined with the experience of civil society organisations and an understanding of local needs.
