The project Bridge is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Servicio Espanol para la Internacionalizacion de la Educacion (SEPIE). Neither the European Union nor the National Agency SEPIE can be held responsible for them. -- Number: 2025-1-ES01-KA220-HED-000359236 --

The BRIDGE Digital Museum brings together good practices, educational proposals and images that inspire reflection and action

Social Challenges Analyse social challenges to intercultural dialogue, social inclusion and democratic cohesion Good Practices Discover experiences that generate social impact Educational Space Access teaching guides, activities and materials for the classroom Documentary Photography Explore the social challenges in a visual, reflective and educational way

LEVEL 1. #IBelong – Towards a Sense of Belonging in an Inclusive Learning Environment

BRIDGE Main Challenge: A.3. Educational gaps throughout educational trajectories, including higher education

What problem does it address?

Many higher education students, particularly those from underrepresented, first-generation and minority backgrounds, experience exclusion, low sense of belonging and unequal opportunities for participation and success. These barriers negatively affect academic engagement, wellbeing and retention, highlighting the need for inclusive institutional practices that foster equitable learning environments.

What does it propose?

The good practice promotes inclusive learning environments by strengthening students’ sense of belonging through dialogue, mentoring and reflective teaching practices. It supports higher education institutions in embedding inclusion into everyday practice, fostering collaboration among students, teachers and communities to improve participation, wellbeing and academic success.

Why is it an inspiring practice?
  • • Promotes a strong sense of belonging as a foundation for student success and wellbeing.
  • • Empowers underrepresented students through mentoring, dialogue and peer support.
  • • Translates inclusive policies into practical actions within higher education institutions.
  • • Strengthens educators’ capacity to create inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments.
  • • Encourages collaboration among students, teachers and community stakeholders.
  • • Fosters intercultural dialogue, mutual respect and active participation.
  • • Provides evidence-based, transferable and adaptable tools for different higher education contexts.
  • • Combines institutional change with individual support, ensuring a holistic approach to inclusion.
  • • Enhances student engagement, retention and academic achievement through participatory practices.
  • • Offers sustainable resources that can be replicated across universities and countries.
Resources you'll find
  • • Dialogue Days.
  • • Community Mentoring.
  • • Team Teacher Reflections.
  • • Good Practices.
  • • Project Publications.
  • • Project Videos.
  • • Project News & Events.
  • • Project Website.
Featured results
1
Dialogue Days developed.
2
Community Mentoring developed.
3
Team Teacher Reflections developed.
4
Good Practices collected.
5
Project publications produced.
6
Project videos published.
What can visitors learn?
• How to foster a sense of belonging in higher education.
• How mentoring strengthens inclusion and student engagement.
• How dialogue-based approaches promote intercultural understanding.
• How reflective teaching enhances inclusive learning environments.
• How higher education institutions can embed inclusion into everyday practice.
• How collaborative partnerships support student success and wellbeing.
• How to implement evidence-based strategies for widening participation.
• How to empower underrepresented students through participatory approaches.
• How to adapt inclusive methodologies to different institutional contexts.
• How sustainable resources can support long-term organisational change.

LEVEL 2. EXPLORE BEST PRACTICE

Introduction

#IBELONG is an Erasmus+ project that promotes inclusive learning environments by strengthening students' sense of belonging in higher education. The good practice combines Dialogue Days, Community Mentoring and Team Teacher Reflections to support underrepresented students, enhance inclusive teaching practices and foster collaboration between students, teachers and communities, contributing to student engagement, wellbeing and academic success.

  • Coordinating organisation: Erasmus University Rotterdam
  • Participating countries: Germany (DE), Malta (MT), Netherlands (NL), Portugal (PT), United Kingdom (GB)
  • Duration: September 2018-December 2021
  • BRIDGE Main Challenge: A.3. Educational gaps throughout educational trajectories, including higher education
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • SDG 4: Quality Education
  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Secondary Challenges
  • A.1. Structural and intersectional inequalities that shape inclusion and social cohesion
  • A.2. Gap between regulatory frameworks, institutional discourses and actual inclusion practices
  • A.4. Fragmented management of cultural diversity and weak institutionalisation of intercultural dialogue
  • A.6. Deficits in democratic participation, representation and inclusive governance

The Challenge

What social issue does it address?

Many students in higher education, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, experience a low sense of belonging, limiting their participation, engagement and academic success. The good practice addresses the need for more inclusive learning environments where diversity is valued, students feel connected and institutions actively support inclusion through everyday educational practices.

Why is it important?

A strong sense of belonging is essential for student participation, wellbeing and success in higher education. By promoting inclusive learning environments and reflective institutional practices, the good practice helps reduce barriers faced by underrepresented students.

How does it contribute to the BRIDGE Challenge?

The good practice contributes to the BRIDGE Challenge by promoting inclusive learning environments that strengthen students' sense of belonging in higher education. Through dialogue, mentoring and reflective teaching, it supports equitable participation and helps reduce barriers affecting underrepresented students.

How does it work?

The good practice combines three complementary approaches: Dialogue Days, Community Mentoring and Team Teacher Reflections. Together, they help higher education institutions create inclusive learning environments by promoting dialogue, supporting students and encouraging teachers to reflect on and strengthen inclusive educational practices.

What might inspire you?
Ideas for adaptation
  1. Inclusive dialogue: Use dialogue to strengthen inclusion and belonging.
  2. Reflective teaching: Reflect on teaching to improve inclusion.
  3. Community mentoring: Use mentoring to support student engagement.
  4. Student voice: Encourage students to share their experiences.
  5. Collaborative learning: Design activities that promote collaboration.
  6. Inclusive classrooms: Create learning environments where everyone belongs.
  7. Diversity in learning: Value diverse perspectives in classroom discussions.
  8. Peer support: Foster peer support through collaborative activities.
  9. Sense of belonging: Integrate belonging into everyday teaching practice.
  10. Institutional reflection: Promote team reflection on inclusive education.
Resources created

Dialogue Days

Educational resource

Structured dialogues promoting inclusion, participation and students' sense of belonging in higher education.

Teaching staff, Students

https://ibelong.eu/dialogue-days/

Community Mentoring

Manual

Mentoring approach connecting students, institutions and communities to strengthen belonging and inclusion.

Students, Professionals

https://ibelong.eu/community-mentoring/

Team Teacher Reflections

Teaching guide

Collaborative reflection supporting teachers in developing more inclusive educational practices.

Teaching staff

https://ibelong.eu/team-teacher-reflections/

Good Practices

Digital publication

Collection of examples promoting inclusion and students' sense of belonging in higher education.

Teaching staff, Researchers, Professionals

https://ibelong.eu/good-practices/

Publications

Digital publication

Project reports and publications presenting methodologies, activities and outcomes.

Teaching staff, Researchers, Professionals

https://ibelong.eu/publications/

Videos

Educational videos

Audiovisual materials presenting the project's approach, activities and results.

Teaching staff, Students, Researchers, Professionals, General Public

https://ibelong.eu/videos/