It provided a valuable meeting point for universities involved in both the Science Shops network and the European Universities Initiative. In this context, Université Lumière Lyon 2, representing BAUHAUS4EU, joined the panel discussion" European University Alliances as Catalysts for Research Solidarity and Community Engagement?", alongside representatives from the SEA-EU, EMERGE, YUFE and EUNICoast alliances. Whether community engagement is a core element of an alliance's identity or a more specific objective within a work-package, the session explored the different approaches currently being developed and strengthened across these networks.
A key takeaway from the discussion was the importance of mutual learning between alliances. While younger alliances can draw inspiration from the experience of more established ones, each alliance is developing innovative approaches that can benefit others. For example, YUFE presented its Community Engagement Declaration 2025–2030 and the ongoing development of its Community Engagement Framework, while SEA-EU shared its experience with the "Science Comes to Town" programme, which strengthens connections between universities and local communities through science outreach. EMERGE highlighted its alliance-wide work to establish a shared definition of community engagement, completed by a TEFCE-based mapping exercise across partner universities. This mapping exercise enables each institution to identify its strengths and areas for development, providing the basis for designing targeted training on community engagement and engaged research for students, academics and community partners.
For BAUHAUS4EU, the session provided an opportunity to showcase the Regional Living Labs. These interdisciplinary, challenge-based and place-based learning environments foster collaboration across faculties while embedding education in real regional contexts. Co-designed with local authorities, organisations and communities, the Regional Living Labs offer a concrete model for integrating regional partners into higher education and addressing societal challenges through collaboration. Several of the thirteen selected projects for 2026-2027 were presented to show the diversity of themes addressed across the Alliance. This educational approach was particularly well received as a practical example of meaningful community engagement.
Despite their different approaches and levels of maturity, the alliances face many of the same challenges, including how to assess the long-term impact of their initiatives on regional communities and how to ensure the sustainability of the partnerships and projects they develop with local stakeholders. To continue addressing these shared challenges, participants expressed a common ambition to build on FOREU4ALL, the Alliance of Alliances, as a platform to strengthen collaboration, share expertise and advance community engagement across European University Alliances.
