The projects aimed to strengthen global partnerships in education, research, and capacity building, addressing urgent challenges linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and VU’s profile themes. In food security and climate resilience, studies in Palestine, Fiji, Benin, Uganda, Chile, and Mali aimed to provide evidence for policy and curriculum innovation, while collaborations in Kenya and South Africa focused on advanced food systems and natural resource management research. In digital transition and ICT/AI education, joint initiatives in Malaysia, Ghana, and Mali strived for the development of new academic programmes, supporting rural applications, and integrating Global South perspectives into VU curricula. Legal and justice capacity was enhanced in Rwanda, Ethiopia, Seychelles, and Suriname through exchanges, PhD supervision, and knowledge transfer in law and restorative justice. In higher education development and mobility, partnerships in Bhutan, Indonesia, and across Africa facilitated staff/student exchanges, international networking, and innovative teaching. Together, these achievements aimed to foster equitable partnerships, strengthen institutional capacity, and generate sustainable, real-world impact.