Community and the Sense of Belonging
2nd Edition
The Blended Intense Programme (BIP) Community and the Sense of Belonging at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS: MM) will take place from 15th October 2026 to 21st January 2027.
This programme is designed to foster community building and connection between students, with a focus on real world community building strategies. It includes a week long event in Ireland to put ideas into action and offers a 3 ECTs credits along with a certificate.
Focused on the importance of community building in HEIs; the programme is designed to enhance student’s understanding of community building and its impact on well-being.
Being in a community isn't the same as feeling that you belong!
This BIP hosted by the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and jointly coordinated with Howest and NHL Stenden, enhances the student's understanding of community building and its impact on well-being.
The programme focuses on recognising and discovering common ground to foster a sense of belonging which can have positive impacts for students, leading to improved academic performance and reduce dropout rates; and subsequently, for all members of the HEI community.
By fostering a learning group culture encouraging students to share their personal stories, and identifying commonalities within and across higher education institutes (HEIs), this BIP aims to create a ‘New We’ reshaping narratives around education and learning. Through a combination of knowledge sharing, workshops, group assignments, and immersive experiences, students will formulate concrete goals that will be implemented and evaluated within each HEI, strengthening community building and enhancing the sense of belonging.
By fostering an in-depth understanding of community building, participants are better able to contribute to a sense of belonging. The future Community Builders return to their own HEIs to reshape Community and the Sense of Belonging.
15th of October 2026 to 21st of January 2027
English
Participation in this Blended Intensive Programme will be formally recognised by each student's home institution in accordance with institutional and RUN-EU guidelines for Erasmus+ mobility.
All RUN EU students who are motivated for, and interested in, community development.
Please contact the International Office at your home institution for more details.
Programme at a glance
Part One: Introduction and Preparation Phase consists of:
1. Online synchronous meetings with all students introducing the BIP.
2. Using online sessions on 4 different themes, participants are educated to critically analyse; (a) Community Building, (b) Doing, being, becoming and belonging, (c) Person Environment-Occupation model (PEO-Model) and (d) Change Management.
3. Online meeting within the HEI group, offering in depth discussions and interactive activities to explore the common and shared sense of belonging in their HEI. The students of each HEI prepare for showcasing a blueprint of their HEI community by using the PEO model.
Individually: Follow the online learning path in your own time to prepare for your group project.
As a HEI group: Together as a group prepare a blueprint on community building in your university.
Total Workload Overview
Preparation Phase 15
Face-to-Face Week 40
Post-Programme 20
Total 75 Hours
COMMUNITY AND THE SENSE OF BELONGING COURSE SCHEDULE
1. Introduction & Preparation Phase - 15 hours
Online synchronous Introduction and Preparation RUN-EU Group 2 hrs
Online synchronous Theoretical input on relevant topics Individual 1 hr
Online / Face-to-face Preparation meetings HEI Group
Assignment Preparation assignment Individual 12 hrs
2. Face-to-Face Week (Athlone)- 40 hours (contact) + (Group assignment)
Day 1: Welcome, introduction and Setting the Stage to Community Building (Total: 8 Hours)
Welcome: Check-in and Registration- 8.30 to 9am
9am to 9.30 am- Welcome to TUS -Caroline Coyle
9.30 - 10am - Ice Breaker Activity- Caroline Coyle RUN-EU Group - 1.5 hrs
Guest Speakers 2.5 hrs
10 to 11.30am - The TUS Access Office
The TUS Access Office will discuss its philosophy Equity for all and how community is built by supporting students from groups within society who are underrepresented in third level education, such as mature students, people with disabilities, migrants, Travellers and grant assisted students. Facilitated by Catherine, Carmel and Mary TUS Access Office.
11.30-12.30 - The Applied Learning and Skills Development Course equips students with an intellectual disability with the skills, knowledge and confidence necessary to participate fully in higher education. Students who graduated from the Applied Learning and Skills Development Course in TUS are invited to talk about their experiences of Belonging in TUS and the research project they were involved in.
Lunch 12.30-1.30pm.
Presentations 1.30-3pm HEI Group Blueprint Presentations – Community and the Sense of Belonging. Each of the participating HEI groups will present on: What is working well in my HEI? and What are the challenges to building community? (Groups 1–3) (Caroline, Anne and Cynthia) RUN-EU Group 1.5 hrs.
Presentations 3 to 5.30pm HEI Group Blueprint Presentations – Community and the Sense of Belonging. Each of the participating HEI groups will present on: What is working well in my HEI? and What are the challenges to building community? (Groups 4, 5 6 7) RUN-EU Group 2.5hrs.
Wrap up of Presentations (Caroline, Anne and Cynthia).
Day 2: Workshops and Teamwork (Total: 7.5 Hours)
Workshop Teamwork 9-10.30am - Workshop: Using the PEO Model in Community Building. Doing / Being / Becoming / Belonging and Community Building
Anne Dejager facilitates this workshop illustrating how the PEO (Person-Environment-Occupation) Model can work as a valuable tool for community development by focusing on the dynamic interplay between individuals, their environments and the activities they engage in. HEI Group 1.5
10.30-11.30am - Preparation of take-home messages - HEI Group 1hr
11.30-12.30pm - Consolidation of Group Take home message- RUN-EU Group 1hr
Break 12.30-1.30pm Lunch.
Workshop Teamwork 1.30-3pm Workshop: Change Management - Kotter's 8 Steps
Cynthia Bruinsma leads this workshop demonstrating how Kotter's 8 Steps to Change can work as a structured approach to Community building and transformation. HEI Group 1.5hr
3-4pm - Preparation of take-home messages - HEI Group 1hr
4-5 pm - Consolidation of Group Take home message RUN EU Group 1hr
Teamwork 5-5.30pm - Reflection and wrap up HEI Group .5hr.
Day 3: Presentations & Field Visit and wrap up field visit (Total: 8.5 Hours 0am -5,30pm)
Field Trip : Meet in TUS at 9am for Field Trip in Athlone.
9-12.30pm; Group walk to various Organisations in the Community who are building Community through different mediums. Facilitated by Caroline.
Visit to Irish Wheelchair Association and Therapeutic Garden- participating in event supporting IWA service users.
Visit to Athlone Community Radio- Non-profit Community radio owned and run by the communities it serves, prioritising the needs and diverse interests of its listeners. RUN-EU Group 3.5 hrs
Break Lunch 1230-1.30pm.
Fieldtrip 1.30 -5.30pm: Athlone Family Resource: - Best Practice The Creative Hub Community Inclusion Programme. Participating in AFR Community Building projects with Manager/Community Arts Coordinator/Community Development Worker HEI Group- 4 hours
Day 4: Historical and Cultural Walking Tour and Presentations (Total: 10 Hours)
Workshop: Cultural Walk around Athlone - Meet at TUS at 9am
9-10.45am - Walk to Luan Gallery for visit.
11am - 1 pm: Athlone Castle for Athlone Guided Walking Tours known for engaging storytelling, oral history, folklore and deep knowledge of the town's history. RUN-EU Group 4 hours.
Lunch 1-2pm.
Presentations 2-5.30 pm -Group Presentations from each HEI
Each HEI Group presents their Blueprint for Building Community and the Sense of Belonging in their own HEI. How they will be Community Builders/Leaders in their own HEI. HEI Group 3.5 hrs
Social Closing dinner 2.5 hrs
Day 5: Synthesis & Cultural Engagement Trip (Total: 6 Hours)
9-11am Course Wrap up and check out
Reflective art/poetry workshop -Caroline. RUN-EU Group 2hrs
Cultural Visit 11am -3pm: Bus to Clonmacnoise Monastic Site and Visitor's Centre. 4hrs
1. Online meeting, after a period of two months, within the HEI group evaluating the goals that were set.
2. Online synchronous meeting with all students evaluating the BIP. This final online wrap-up session aims to reflect on the shared journey, evaluate the achievements made, and consider areas for improvement.
Final presentation as a HEI group: evaluating community building within the HEI (changes made, long term goals).
3. Post-Programme Evaluation & Assignment- 20 hours
Online synchronous Short-and Long-Term Evaluation - Community Building
Online synchronous within HEI group
1. Introduction of Session
2. Teamwork within the HEI Group: Evaluating and reflecting on recommendations for increasing community development.
3. Teamwork with HEI Group: description of long-term recommendations
Online synchronous meeting with all participants
1. Introduction of Session
2. Reflection per HEI on changes made
3. Evaluating and setting long term recommendations RUN-EU & HEI Group 5
Assignment :Evaluation assignment Individual 15
Learning outcomes
By the end of this Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme, learners will be able to:
Explore and identify the principles of community building and the sense of belonging.
Develop, through research and collaboration, a blueprint with concrete actions of community building and the sense of belonging.
Advise their own institution on supporting community building and the sense of belonging.
Adapt their behaviour and communication styles in intercultural situations if necessary and explores behaviour alternatives.
Place local events and practices in an international context explaining the influence of International/ European context on these local situations.
Selection criteria
Selection will be based on compliance to the prerequisites, order of submission, motivation and a balanced representation of the RUN-EU members' institution.
Involved organisations and persons
Howest University of Applied Sciences
Partner Organisation- Anne Dejager (Instructor)
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
Partner Organisation- Cynthia Bruinsma (Instructor)
Technological University of the Shannon
Lead Organisation, Host Organisation- Caroline Coyle (Lead Instructor)
- Delores Crerar (Regional Stakeholder)
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Grant Agreement Number: 101124674
