In June and July 2025, a series of Cross-Impact Workshops took place, marking another important step in the implementation of the ACE project. The workshops brought together representatives from all partner institutions to explore the future of community engagement in higher education.
Building on the outcomes of earlier project activities, ACE Horizon Scanning and Stakeholder Dialogues, the workshops aimed to synthesize insights and identify critical interdependencies shaping community engagement practices across Europe. By combining evidence, experiences, and perspectives gathered so far, participants engaged in in-depth discussions to co-create a comprehensive vision for socially responsible and inclusive university-community collaboration.
The workshops provided a participatory space to assess potential drivers, challenges, and opportunities that could influence the effectiveness and sustainability of engagement efforts in the coming years. Participants examined key factors such as policy developments, institutional strategies, resource allocation, and evolving societal needs. Special attention was given to how these elements interact and impact one another in complex and dynamic environments.
A key objective of the Cross-Impact Workshops was to foster a shared understanding of the systemic conditions necessary for successful engagement. Discussions centred around what higher education institutions (HEIs) need to anticipate, prepare for, and prioritize in order to strengthen their role as socially engaged institutions.
Insights generated during the workshops will support the development of the European University Community Engagement Guide, which will offer guidance and inspiration to universities committed to fostering a culture of engagement, collaboration, and social responsibility within the higher education sector.
The Cross-Impact Workshops were structured around three interconnected sessions, each building on the outcomes of previous project phases and contributing to a shared vision for the future of university-community engagement.
The first session focused on synthesizing knowledge generated through the ACE Horizon Scanning and Stakeholder Dialogues. Participants collaboratively identified and organized key trends, drivers, barriers, and uncertainties influencing community engagement in higher education. This session laid the foundation for understanding the broader landscape in which engagement practices are evolving.
In the second session, participants engaged in collective sensemaking to deepen their understanding of the complex dynamics shaping engagement. Through the analysis of interrelated factors and uncertainties, the group worked to surface recurring patterns, key influences, and systemic challenges. This exercise supported the identification of strategic considerations necessary for building resilient and adaptive engagement strategies.
The final session focused on mapping interdependencies between critical factors and exploring their potential impacts on future engagement efforts. Participants co-developed a set of prioritized, actionable responses to the challenges and opportunities identified in the earlier sessions. These results will serve as a foundation for the European University Community Engagement Guide, translating collective insights into practical guidance for higher education institutions across Europe.