ACE²-EU

Societal Partnerships And Cultural Engagement Centre

SPACE Centre – a place where partnership builds future literacy

The SPACE Centre will foster collaboration with external stakeholders, enhance inclusivity, and strengthen European identity through cultural exchange. Its goal is to drive sustainable societal transformation and forge stronger connections between universities and the wider community. The SPACE Centre’s activities are directed towards implementing social solutions in areas such as well-being, inclusion, multiculturalism, respect, and gender equality, as well as creating a common cultural platform that is significant for exchanging diverse cultural experiences and expertise among European Universities Alliance ACE2-EU partners.

“The Latvian Academy of Culture plays a crucial role in the European Universities Alliance, as the SPACE Centre bridges higher education institutions and society. Culture connects all sectors and ensures true interdisciplinarity, promoting closer cooperation, building understanding, and implementing sustainable changes. We are pleased to have the opportunity to strengthen European identity with culture at its center. The SPACE Centre is a place to meet and collaborate,” emphasizes Ieva Zemīte, the leader of the SPACE Centre.

The main elements of the SPACE Centre work plan will include:

Kaleidoscope Culture Festival (Led by Latvian Academy of Culture)

A vibrant and inclusive festival that celebrates cultural diversity and creativity. This event serves as a platform for students and community members to showcase artistic expressions, engage in meaningful discussions, and foster cross-cultural connections. Throughout the project, four festivals will be hosted, each bringing together student teams from every partner institution. Each team, consisting of approximately 12 students, will act as both festival content creators and active participants in these immersive three-day events.

Additionally, a series of online inclusion and multicultural awareness campaigns will be launched, featuring engaging promotional materials, including digital content, to inform and involve all stakeholders, including students, staff, and external partners. These initiatives will underscore the significance of multiculturalism, highlighting the diversity and richness of cultures within the ACE2-EU alliance.

The Culture Hub and Social Impactors Volunteer Programme (Led by Santarém Polytechnic University)

This initiative fosters cultural engagement, learning, and collaboration by providing students with access to valuable resources, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities to explore, develop, and lead cultural projects.

The Social Impactors Volunteer Programme actively engages students in community service and social impact projects. It provides meaningful volunteer opportunities, enabling participants to drive positive social change while strengthening their leadership and teamwork skills. The programme encourages student mobility and volunteer exchanges, strengthening partnerships and knowledge-sharing with external stakeholders on both local and international levels. Throughout the project, more than 800 students will participate in the volunteer programme.

The Culture Traineeship Programme for Staff (Led by Francisco de Vitoria University)

A professional development programme designed to equip university staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to cultivate an inclusive and culturally enriched academic environment.

The Culture Traineeship Programme for Staff will provide key university personnel across the alliance with specialized training to enhance their understanding of partner institution cultures. It will also equip them with effective strategies for successfully inducting and supporting international students, particularly those at risk of cultural exclusion. This programme will be conducted three times, with each session accommodating 96 participants, ensuring widespread institutional impact throughout the alliance.

Social Impactors (Led by Carinthia University of Applied Sciences)

The Social Impactors initiative will focus on key themes such as inclusion, multiculturalism, social well-being, dignity, respect, and gender equality. These impactors will lead projects, advocate for inclusivity, and inspire engagement in community-driven efforts.

Furthermore, the initiative will introduce a series of Knowledge Creation Team Workshops for students and teachers. The Change Maker Ambassador Programme will empower both students and staff to become agents of social change, providing them with structured training on best practices and innovative solutions to societal issues. To enhance mobility and foster cross-institutional collaboration, the programme will offer opportunities for up to 144 students at partner institutions across the alliance, extending their learning beyond their home universities.