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<p> The participation of individuals in civic and community issues has always aroused interest in the field of social sciences. In this sense, because of the drop confirmed in terms of civic engagement during the last years, especially among young people, this interest turns out to be more significant. In this article we propose the pedagogical methodology of service-learning as a way to help to systematize citizen involvement in social movements from the educational level, whilst it adds a community service to the traditional learning processes. To this end, service-learning implies regaining connections between formal, non-formal and informal education in such a way that learning communities are created, where reciprocity, solidarity and responsibility will guide the epistemological support. Our main objective is to know the way in which involvement in social entities as promoted from the educational system through service-learning can help to develop citizenship skills. For that aim, a documentary review of international significance has been carried out with the intention of approaching this reality from a theoretical point of view. First, the current role of third sector entities is analysed, establishing the determining factors that canalize citizen participation. Afterwards, service-learning methodology is justified as a new path for optimizing the processes of civic involvement and the role of civic-social entities. We therefore conclude that service-learning is configured as a strategy capable of awakening students’ interest in a higher participation in community issues. Social organizations are understood as the perfect path for placing students in contexts that have the potential of enhancing the levels of civic engagement.</p>