Open Labs & Civic engagement

CIVIS Open Labs is where universities and communities converge. The Open Labs lie at the heart of the CIVIS mission to connect academia with wider society. Each CIVIS university has an Open Lab, supporting projects and partnerships through the lenses of research and education.

Working as a network, the Open Labs foster trans-European initiatives benefiting from collaborative working that brings different perspectives and encourages shared learning.

The Open Labs are often the place where different CIVIS initiatives gain added value, for instance through civic engagement aligned to the major themes of the CIVIS Hubs or exploiting synergies with blended intensive programmes (BIPs).

Open Labs also play a key role in developing skills and networks across the Alliance, through curated initiatives such as the CIVIS Connect seminar series and the CASCADE participatory research and education network.

Each Open Lab has a dedicated coordinator who is the first point of contact for enquiries. The Open Labs organize a regular open funding call address to the CIVIS Community to support collaborative projects.

CASCADE network

CASCADE is the CIVIS Participatory Research and Education Network. It fosters collaboration across academics, students, and external partners through showcases, problem-solving sessions, and co-creative workshops. By simplifying connections and sharing participatory practices, CASCADE builds a vibrant community promoting innovation, interdisciplinarity, and civic engagement across the CIVIS Alliance, making participatory research and education more accessible and inspiring.

CIVIS connect

CIVIS Connect is the brand umbrella for CIVIS Open Labs’ outreach platform. It amplifies knowledge through webinars, podcasts (coming soon), articles, and open conversations, reaching academics, students, and citizens alike. CIVIS Connect fosters ongoing engagement, visibility, and impact across the Alliance by translating research and innovation into accessible formats for diverse audiences.

Resources

The CIVIS Open Labs offer tools, methods, and shared experiences to help you move forward. Find inspiration, practical guides, and collaborative opportunities tailored to your needs.

View all resources

Open Lab Projects

The CIVIS Open Labs support participatory sciences, service-learning and design thinking methods by connecting communities, researchers, and institutions across Europe and Africa. After a successful rolling call for projects, we are pleased to present the outcomes.

Migrant Storytelling about Home and Belonging as a Transformative Tool

Addressing the social challenge of preserving and revitalizing Scottish Gaelic

Contemporary Childhoods/Youths (CON-CHY)

Supporting access and participation to lifelong learning for disadvantaged migrants

Project Combating Health Misinformation

Archaeological Citizen-science Project (ArcheOPENLAB)

Local Open Labs

CIVIS Alliance brings together 11 Open Labs (OLs), each rooted in a member university. While united by a common mission — connecting academia with society — they differ in structure, focus, and approach. This diversity reflects local specificities and enriches the alliance, offering opportunities to build shared definitions and strengthen collaboration.