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When Higher Education Meets Sustainable Development of Rural Areas: Lessons Learned from a Community–University Partnership

Author

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  • Maria Cecilia Mancini

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy)

  • Filippo Arfini

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy)

  • Marianna Guareschi

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy)

Abstract

Sustainable development in mountain areas faces numerous socioenvironmental and economic challenges that public institutions have sought to address for decades. The EU is increasingly demanding Higher Education Institutions be more socially relevant and responsible in addressing the needs of these often-underserved communities. To this end, one central principle of the Erasmus+ Project 2014–2020, also consolidated by the Programme 2021–2027, has been to enhance the development, transfer, and implementation of innovative practices fostering social engagement at the local and international levels. The paper describes a case study developed in the “Socially Engaged Universities—(SEU)” project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme 2014–2020, which aimed to strengthen the cooperation between universities and local communities. A local foundation and the University of Parma co-piloted a project to strengthen the short supply chains of a group of farmers in the Italian Appennines. The partnership identified factors that fostered and hampered the effectiveness of community–university partnerships. We propose some final recommendations to ensure that sustainable rural development fully leverages university resources. This includes higher education teaching and research programmes tailored toward the needs of the local community.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Cecilia Mancini & Filippo Arfini & Marianna Guareschi, 2022. "When Higher Education Meets Sustainable Development of Rural Areas: Lessons Learned from a Community–University Partnership," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:11:y:2022:i:8:p:338-:d:877318
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jernigan, V.B.B. & Jacob, T. & Styne, D., 2015. "The adaptation and implementation of a community-based participatory research curriculum to build tribal research capacity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105, pages 424-432.
    2. Mansha Parven Mirza & Rooshey Hasnain & Kathryn B. Duke, 2018. "Fostering Community-Academic Partnerships to Promote Employment Opportunities for Refugees with Disabilities: Accomplishments, Dilemmas, and Deliberations," Societies, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-15, September.
    3. Filippo Arfini & Federico Antonioli & Elena Cozzi & Michele Donati & Marianna Guareschi & Maria Cecilia Mancini & Mario Veneziani, 2019. "Sustainability, Innovation and Rural Development: The Case of Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Mancini, Maria Cecilia & Consiglieri, Claudio, 2016. "Innovation and marketing strategies for PDO products: the case of “Parmigiano Reggiano” as an ingredient," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 5(2), September.
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