Driving social sustainability in higher education

Turning social challenges into opportunities for learning, innovation, and community engagement with UPC.

The collaboration between RETURN BCN and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) sets the foundation for embedding social sustainability into the university ecosystem. Supported by the Nexus Social program, the project proposes the creation of a decentralized network of community HUBs across UPC’s academic centers. These HUBs will serve as catalysts for initiatives focused on social justice, inclusion, and civic engagement through practical, action-driven approaches.

The initiative unfolds across three levels —curricular subjects, final academic projects (TFM/TFG), and volunteering— by identifying real-life challenges raised by local social organizations. RETURN contributes its expertise in social innovation and co-creation processes to guide the development of impactful solutions for vulnerable groups and their environments. This partnership lays the groundwork for building an engaged academic community, deeply connected to societal needs and committed to driving meaningful transformation.