Civic engagement

Our alliance strives to become an agent of change in European society, defending and promoting European democratic values, and becoming fully networked in the local communities.

We are building an innovative university model that branches out to high schools, minorities, policymakers, businesses, the civil society, the wider public, and other entities outside academia. Civic engagement is at the core of this ambition.

Our civic engagement activities unfold along three main directions:

Students, faculty and staff on CIVICA campuses are collaborating with local high schools, offering activities focused on first generation students and other high school students (e.g. from disadvantaged backgrounds) to promote access to higher education. The aim is to give high school students a taste of the university experience and to promote social diversity, so they can gain a better understanding of what higher education has to offer.

In the effort to promote societal cohesion across Europe, CIVICA runs various initiatives aimed at marginalised groups and other minorities. Building on the experiences of our member universities, these activities aim to improve the situation of the minorities, by highlight the role universities can play in their lives, fostering engagement with academia, and offering various opportunities.