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
BRIDGE Main Challenge: A.6. Deficits in democratic participation, representation and inclusive governance
Formal mechanisms of student representation in higher education do not always guarantee genuine, inclusive and meaningful participation. Structural barriers, a lack of training, unequal access to decision-making spaces and social inequalities limit students’ capacity to influence decisions, creating a gap between institutional democratic principles and actual governance practices.
STUPS develops a transnational model to strengthen democratic student participation in European higher education. By combining research, competence-based training and digital innovation, the project provides open-access guides, training materials and strategic guidelines designed to promote more inclusive, transparent and participatory models of university governance.
STUPS (Student Participation Without Borders) is an Erasmus+ project aimed at strengthening democratic student participation in European higher education governance. Through applied research, co-creation processes and competence-based training, the project has developed practical guides, digital tools, open online courses and institutional frameworks that provide students and universities with resources to review their participation mechanisms and move towards more inclusive, transparent and participatory governance models.
Despite formal mechanisms of student representation, actual participation in university governance remains limited and unequal. Structural inequalities linked to social capital, background and a lack of specialised training prevent different groups of students—particularly international students, first-generation students and working students—from exercising meaningful influence over decision-making.
Higher education institutions are essential spaces for civic socialisation and democratic citizenship. Fostering genuine and inclusive student participation in university governance strengthens democratic cohesion, institutional transparency and educational quality across Europe.
STUPS contributes to Challenge A.6 by developing evidence-based tools, training programmes and strategic frameworks aimed at strengthening democratic student participation. Its resources make it possible to review formal mechanisms of student representation and promote strategies for moving towards more effective and inclusive participation, with greater capacity to influence institutional decision-making.
STUPS operates through five interrelated phases: 1) Diagnosis and comparative analysis of student participation systems, including consultation with student representatives and university staff; 2) Co-creation and development of educational and digital resources; 3) Piloting of these resources in real higher education governance contexts; 4) Qualitative evaluation and refinement based on participant feedback; and 5) Transnational dissemination and transfer through open-access resources and European cooperation networks.
Guide to innovative practices for student participation
Manual
A comprehensive manual compiling 50 innovative European practices designed to improve democratic student participation and representation in university governance.
Teaching staff, Students, Researchers, Professionals, Policy Makers
https://esu-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/GUIA-STUPS_v03.pdf
Comprehensive plans for student participation and governance guidelines.
Manual
Methodological guidance and models for strategic action plans that enable higher education institutions to develop inclusive and transparent governance structures.
Teaching staff, Students, Researchers, Professionals, Policy Makers
https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/projects/search/details/2019-1-ES01-KA203-065945
Two MOOCs on student participation and transversal skills.
Online training
Two self-paced massive open online courses (MOOCs) focusing on the development of skills related to democratic participation, leadership, negotiation and institutional communication for students.
Teaching staff, Students, Researchers, Professionals, Policy Makers
https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/projects/search/details/2019-1-ES01-KA203-065945
Student participation indices and comparative diagnostic reports.
Digital publication
Diagnostic indicators and assessment tools used during piloting to assess levels of student participation and institutional openness.
Teaching staff, Students, Researchers, Professionals, Policy Makers
https://esu-online.org/stups-moves-toward-the-first-student-participation-index/