“Socially responsible university for inclusive societies in the era of migration” Erasmus Project

Project Title

“Socially responsible university for inclusive societies in the era of migration”

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Inclusion – equity; Social/environmental responsibility of educational institutions; Migrants’ issues

Project Summary

Since the outbreak of the so-called “refugee crisis” in 2015, European Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have made considerable efforts to facilitate access for newcomers, through a constellation of actions in different domains: financial support, admission procedures, recognition of qualifications, language and psychological support, to mention a few. Most of these initiatives took a bottom-up approach, as an immediate and emergency response to a crisis situation. Although they have undoubtedly contributed to building more inclusive HEIs and connecting universities with civil society actors, few of them have been underpinned by a central strategic approach and planning, paving the way for a holistic and sustainable institutional response.

Much remains to be done for universities to fully embrace a 360-degree approach to the phenomenon of migration, that goes beyond immediate initiatives and builds inclusive HEIs and societies, taking responsibility for the important societal challenges facing European countries.

UNI(di)VERSITY aims to develop the social responsibility of European HEIs in the field of migration, with a view to promoting the social inclusion of migrants and refugees, through:
– A systematic mapping and analysis of European HEIs’ approaches to migration as part of their social responsibility and diversity approaches;
– An awareness campaign to encourage a nuanced and evidence-based debate about migration and diversity amongst the academic community and the public;
– The design and validation of a set of instruments to support university staff and services in their efforts to integrate issues related to migration and diversity in different areas, grounded in a 360-degree approach;
– A Staff Training intervention aimed at empowering academic and administrative staff to develop sustainable strategies for integrating migration issues at all levels of institutional activities;
– The release of a comprehensive Strategic Framework aimed at providing a multicriteria decision-making methodology for socially responsible universities in the era of migration.

The 2-year project envisages four intellectual outputs that represent an innovative blend of different activities: 1) an analytical atlas of HEIs’ actions and strategies in the field of migration; 2) an awareness campaign entitled #uni4diversity; 3) a toolkit for university staff and services; 4) a strategic framework for socially responsible universities in the era of migration.

The project intervention will increase knowledge, inspire commitment, sensitise, and empower at least five hundred European HEIs leaders, managers and staff from different structures (governance bodies, third mission office, international relations office, student services, faculty and research department leaders) in relation to migration issues, to act as agents of change in their own institutions and academic community, and throughout Europe.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 285446 Eur

Project Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA & Country: IT

Project Partners

• FUNDACIO SOLIDARITAT UB
• UNIMED – UNIONE DELLE UNIVERSITA DEL MEDITERRANEO
• ASSOCIATION EUROPEENNE DE L’UNIVERSITE