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A project mapping the extent to which local universities have advanced global sustainability aims has won a United Nations (UN) University award.

As part of work carried out by the Universities Partnership – formed between Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ Leicester (Æß²ÊÖ±²¥), Loughborough University and the University of Leicester – the study aimed to examine the real-world impact of civic activity carried out by the institutions.

In particular, the project looked at work which went some way to advancing the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global targets which address issues like poverty, equality and renewable energy.

As a result, the programme won an award from the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, which hosts the global network of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) in Education for Sustainable Development. Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ leads the East Midlands RCE which predominantly works through the Universities Partnership.

The project was led by Amira Kofi-Dhere, an assistant in the Universities Partnership team. It was motivated by the need to better understand the breadth and depth of civic activity happening across Leicester and Leicestershire. Although universities contribute significantly to local sustainability goals, no mechanism previously existed to capture that collective impact.

Using a bespoke mapping tool, Amira analysed institutional strategies, THE Impact Ranking submissions, delivery plans and civic initiatives, aligning them with the SDGs and highlighting strengths, gaps and opportunities for collaboration.

From this she was able to create a toolkit, including a blank version of the mapping spreadsheet and guidance materials, which will soon be made available to universities and civic organisations across the UK, enabling others to replicate the model.

Amira Kofi-Dhere said: "Working on this project has genuinely changed the way I see the role universities play in our community. As I pulled everything together, I discovered examples of real people going real work that makes a difference. It made me feel proud, not just for getting this award but being part of a partnership that cares about its impact." 

Andrew Reeves, Æß²ÊÖ±²¥’s Academic Lead for Education for Sustainable Development and Chair of RCE East Midlands, worked with Amina on the mapping study.

He said: “This award is a fantastic recognition of Amira’s hard work and the value of the partnership’s approach. The project gives us a clearer picture of how our civic activity contributes to local and global sustainability goals.”