Ecosystems for Higher Education Inclusion: connecting underserved communities with higher education through participatory engagement and research methodologies (EHEI) is an international initiative dedicated to reimagining how higher education systems understand, support, and collaborate with underserved communities.
Across Europe and Latin America, civil society organisations and academic institutions are joining forces to explore a central question: What does access to higher education look like from the perspective of those who have historically been excluded or overlooked? Supported by the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions programme, EHEI builds a cross‑continental ecosystem that transforms this question into shared learning, innovation, and action.
Through participatory engagement, intersectional research, and staff exchanges, the project strengthens the relationship between universities and community actors. These collaborations help partners co‑create more inclusive teaching practices, guidance systems, and support structures that reflect the lived experiences of diverse learners.
EHEI focuses on:
- Developing reflective and inclusive teaching and guidance practices
- Creating safe and empowering spaces for communities to articulate their experiences with higher education
- Advancing interdisciplinary and intersectional research methodologies
- Building a sustainable ecosystem that continues to foster inclusion beyond the project’s lifetime
The consortium gathers 15 partner organizations – universities and non-governmental organizations from Italy, Spain, Colombia, Greece, Hungary, Austria, Mexico and Romania – all with extensive experience in the field of educational sciences, participatory research and inclusion in all its forms. The project partners have, over time, carried out dedicated research and intervention programs underserved groups: people from vulnerable socio-economic backgrounds, marginalized ethnic communities, people with disabilities, refugees or young people at risk of educational exclusion.
At its heart, EHEI is about turning reflection into action. By connecting knowledge, people, and practices across continents, the project supports higher education systems in evolving toward greater equity, accessibility, and meaningful participation for every learner.