Across Europe, higher education institutions (HEIs) are facing new challenges and responsibilities as they respond to the growing diversity of student populations, particularly with the arrival of migrants and refugees. While universities are increasingly recognized as key actors in promoting social inclusion and integration, many lack the structured tools, policies, and institutional capacity to fully support these vulnerable groups.

The HEQUITY Project – Building Higher Education Quality InclUsIon PaThwaYs was born from this need to create more equitable, inclusive, and responsive academic environments. Co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme (KA220-HED), the project seeks to empower universities and policy actors to improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices in higher education, with a special focus on migrant and refugee students.

HEQUITY builds on the experience and collaboration of five institutions across Turkey, Belgium, Italy, and Latvia, uniting higher education leaders, researchers, and community organizations. It responds to the urgent need for integrated strategies that go beyond access and actively support student retention, participation, and success.

By combining research, policy development, institutional training, and digital innovation, the HEQUITY project aims to develop effective models for:

• Institutional DEI strategies

• Capacity building for academic and administrative staff

• Cross-border collaboration between HEIs and NGOs

• Sustainable dissemination of inclusive practices through digital tools and networks

The project not only contributes to policy advancement at institutional and national levels but also strengthens the European higher education sector’s commitment to human rights, academic fairness, and social cohesion.