Project Summary

BELONG@HEI aims to strengthen inclusion, equity, and a sense of belonging within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), with a particular focus on women, migrant students, and learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through an evidence-based and intersectional approach, the project supports universities in embedding belonging into institutional policies, teaching practices, and campus culture, ensuring that students feel welcomed, valued, and supported throughout their academic journey.

Activities

The project undertakes various set of activities designed to understand, develop, and promote belonging in HEIs. Through participatory action research involving 300 students and 100 staff across six universities, we map the barriers and opportunities that influence students’ sense of belonging. These findings will be the foundation of an evidence-based Belonging Framework that is piloted in diverse institutional contexts. Capacity-building actions, including Open Educational Resources, workshops, and international training, equip HEI staff with practical tools to foster inclusive teaching and student support. A self-assessment toolkit enables institutions to monitor their progress and strengthen their commitment to inclusion. Finally, targeted sustainability measures and dissemination actions ensure long-term adoption, institutional learning, and cross-country knowledge exchange. The project runs for 24 months, from December 2025 to December 2027.

eucen’s Role

EUCEN leads the participatory action research work package, coordinates the development of the Belonging Framework, ensures methodological coherence across partners, and consolidates research findings into practical guidance for HEIs.

Partners

• Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Germany) – Coordinator
• EUCEN – European University Continuing Education Network (Belgium)
• University of Cagliari (Italy)
• Outside Media & Knowledge UG (Germany)
• Pannonia Consulting (Croatia)

Expected Impact

BELONG@HEI will contribute to more inclusive and student-centred higher education environments where diverse learners feel connected, supported, and able to thrive. The project is expected to enhance institutional policies, strengthen the capacity of educators to implement inclusive practices, improve student engagement and well-being, and support long-term cultural and structural change in HEIs.

Project website is under construction.