1 June 2026
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the municipality of Getafe have organised a joint event to express their gratitude to all students and citizens involved in the two volunteering activities that were co-created in the framework of YUFE and have started in January 2023.
Students engaged in the YUFE Contigo-Getafe activity aim to reduce unwanted loneliness among the elderly. At the same time, volunteers engaged in the Learning Together-Getafe provide primary and secondary school pupils with both emotional and educational support.
More than 20 elderly people who directly beneficiated from students’ participation in the programme YUFE Contigo were invited to this event held at the City Council. The young volunteers who have been personally accompanying them throughout the year were present alongside them.
Creating social cohesion by learning from each other
The Mayor of Getafe, Sara Hernández, expressed her deep thankfulness to all participants, and highlighted the crucial importance of these activities. Both programmes foster intergenerational relations to profoundly connect citizens from completely different backgrounds. By creating social cohesion, participants manage to learn from each other, a key point in their own personal development. Both seniors and younger citizens who have mutually developed a strong relation claimed that this experience was sometimes “eye-opening” and will probably be remembered for their whole life. UC3M deputy Vice-rector for Cooperation, Silvina Ribotta, also insisted on the fact that these initiatives remain essential to create more sustainable, engaged communities, in times where inequalities and tensions tend to dramatically increase in Europe and the rest of the world.
More than 80 students developing civic-engaged skills and attitudes
Besides, connecting the university to its local environment also enables students to effectively acquire civic-engaged skills and attitudes. According to their feedback and reflections, most of them are related to intercultural communication, active listening, critical thinking, personal responsibility or integrity, which are highly valuable for their professional careers.
Since 2023, more than 80 students got involved in either YUFE Contigo or Learning Together volunteering programmes. Among them, 34 demonstrated great commitment and were rewarded with the YUFE Civic Star digital certificate.
