Service-learning at Universidade Católica Portuguesa: a journey of institutionalization through the lens of student, faculty, and community partner perceptions and international standards

Service-learning (SL) has emerged as a transformative pedagogy in higher education. While institutionalization in Europe remains incipient, case studies illustrate how universities can advance this process through intentional strategies. This paper presents a reflection on the journey of implementation and institutionalization of SL at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) between 2020 and 2025. Looking at the perspectives of students, faculty, and community partners, this work examines the extent to which UCP’s SL strategy aligns with global standards and contributes to a sustainable model of institutional integration. Throughout eight semesters, a total of 124 SL experiences were conducted, involving 147 curricular units, 24 extracurricular activities, and 9 interdisciplinary projects. These initiatives engaged 2 495 students, 62 faculty members, and 176 community partners, including 28 international organizations, and reached over 46 000 final beneficiaries. The results highlight key achievements while also identifying ongoing challenges related to quality assurance, faculty engagement, and long-term sustainability. Lessons learned underscore the importance of strategic alignment, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and evidence-based planning in embedding SL as a core institutional practice.