STAFF WEEKS
Sustainability in Practice Staff Week
About
Summary
This ENLIGHT Staff Week on Sustainability will bring together sustainability leads, green office staff, academics, administrative leaders, and strategic planners from across ENLIGHT universities. Organised by University of Galway – CUSP (Community and University Sustainability Partnership), in collaboration with CELT (Centre of Excellence in Learning and Teaching) and the ENLIGHT Green Network. The gathering aims to foster collaboration, share best practices, and co-create innovative approaches to embedding sustainability and education for sustainable development (ESD) across our institutions.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Engage with the leading University of Galway Community and University Sustainability Partnership (CUSP) framework and broader campus sustainability efforts
- Explore the rich biodiversity and sustainability challenges in the Burren—a unique Irish landscape of global ecological and cultural significance
- Co-develop a shared vision for the ENLIGHT Green Network’s strategic next steps
Programme Highlights
Day 1: Sustainability at the University of Galway – Practice and Impact
Day 2: Place-Based Sustainability - Learning in the Living Landscape of the Burren
Day 3: Co-Designing the Future – Strategy and Collaboration
Outcomes
Participants will:
- Gain insights into holistic university sustainability practices
- Build stronger institutional connections
- Shape the next steps of the ENLIGHT Green Network’s shared mission
- Return with practical tools, models, and inspiration for advancing sustainability in their own institutions
Dates and format
| Training dates: | 17-19 June 2026 |
| Application deadline: | 10th December 2025 |
| Format and length: | 3 days - physical |
Programme
Preliminary programme
Day 1: Sustainability at the University of Galway – Practice and Impact
Location: University of Galway
- Welcome and context: Sustainability in the ENLIGHT Alliance
- Presentation and walkthrough of the University of Galway’s sustainability strategy via CUSP
- Site visits and case studies: Sustainable transport, energy, food systems, and circular economy in action
- Focused discussion on embedding sustainability into curricula, pedagogy, and academic leadership (proposed breakout session)
- Peer exchanges: Good practices across ENLIGHT institutions
Day 2: Place-Based Sustainability - Learning in the Living Landscape of the Burren
Location: Burren Region (Co. Clare)
- Guided field trip to the Burren to explore biodiversity, geodiversity, and sustainable land management
- Interactive sessions with local stakeholders and experts
- Discussion: Regional sustainability and its integration with higher education missions
- Reflective walk & knowledge
- Networking dinner
Day 3: Co-Designing the Future – Strategy and Collaboration
Location: University of Galway
Framing the Day: Priorities and opportunities for advancing institutional sustainability and ESD
Parallel Breakout Sessions:
Main Track: Strategic Collaboration for the ENLIGHT Green Network
- Workshop: Mapping the Network’s strengths, gaps, and opportunities
- Co-creation session: Setting shared sustainability goals for the next ENLIGHT phase
- Exploring future collaborations: Joint projects, mobility, and policy alignment
Parallel Session: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Workshop
- Designed for academic staff and curriculum leads
- In-depth dialogue on embedding sustainability in teaching and learning
- Collaborative exploration of shared resources, case studies, and pedagogical approaches
Closing Reflections and Commitments:
- Key insights from both tracks
- Group discussion on future actions and next steps for ENLIGHT’s sustainability journey
Please note that this programme is subject to change.
Who Should Attend
Staff involved in:
- Sustainability strategy and operations
- Campus environmental initiatives and climate action
- Academic leadership and curriculum design for sustainability
- Community and regional engagement
- Members of the ENLIGHT Green Network
Target group
Staff working to improve sustainability practices across their campuses.
How to apply
Complete the application form before the 10th December 2025.
Contact
| Contact person: | Tara Flanagan - |
| Accommodation: | Participants are responsible for booking their own accommodation. On Campus Accommodation will be available to book for partipants. |
| Additional information: |
Places are limited to 2 participants from each ENLIGHT partner university. Please contact your Erasmus Coordinator at your home university for assistance on how to apply for Erasmus funding in order to participate |