Across Europe, universities are increasingly expected to work not only within the classroom, but also beyond their walls – connecting with communities and contributing to wider societal development. At the same time, many higher education institutions struggle to embed engagement as a core part of their mission.
ACE – the Alliance for Community Engagement – is focused on changing this. We are developing practical tools, resources, and a collaborative platform to support university staff in making community engagement more strategic, consistent and impactful.
Our aim is to strengthen the role of higher education in addressing social challenges – by helping staff build the skills, confidence and networks needed to engage with local communities in meaningful ways.
ACE – the Alliance for Community Engagement in European Higher Education – is dedicated to addressing the growing need for more structured, strategic and meaningful community engagement across universities in Europe.
Higher education institutions are increasingly being called upon to contribute to social cohesion, sustainability and inclusion. Whether through partnerships with local authorities, civil society groups, or grassroots organisations, the university’s role in the wider community is expanding. However, while many staff are eager to engage, there is a clear lack of support, training and recognition to help them do so effectively.
This activity sets the foundation for the project by identifying current trends, emerging opportunities, and future challenges in community engagement across European higher education. Using methods such as horizon scanning and stakeholder dialogue, the analysis gathers insights from university staff, civic actors, and policy bodies. The resulting report highlights key drivers of change and provides a strategic overview to inform future planning, training, and policy. It helps institutions and practitioners align their engagement strategies with long-term societal needs.
At the heart of the project is the creation of a cross-European peer-learning alliance for university staff involved in engagement. The alliance will be supported by a digital platform designed to encourage knowledge exchange, collaboration, and ongoing learning. The platform will host case studies, engagement tools, training materials and a dedicated space for community-building. By combining online access with real-world input, this activity creates a lasting network of practitioners who can share ideas, challenges, and solutions across borders.
The toolkit provides a comprehensive set of practical resources to support staff in designing, implementing, and evaluating community engagement initiatives. It includes a structured pathway for strategic engagement, 50 tested instruments, and 50 examples of best practice. The tools are grounded in real institutional experiences and refined through feedback from practitioners. Designed to be flexible and user-friendly, the toolkit helps staff embed engagement into their day-to-day work and institutional planning.
This sprint-style training programme is aimed at university staff involved in community engagement, whether academic or administrative. Built on principles of design thinking and strategic foresight, the training helps participants rapidly develop and refine engagement strategies through collaborative, time-bound workshops. The programme focuses on building confidence, fostering innovation, and strengthening peer support. A training guide will ensure the model is easy to adapt and replicate across institutions.
