The project aimed to build institutional capacity for IDEA in HEIs by creating practical, evidence-informed resources.This objective ensured that the outputs were not isolated, but part of a long-term strategic agenda to embed IDEA institutionally.It sought to collect and share context practices in a Compendium, develop a cooperative, accessible and adaptable Toolkit for setting up IDEA offices, and pilot a peer-based Capacity Building Tool (CBT) tailored to local realities (Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia), rather than simply applying existing activities. Through its Community of Practice (CoP), the project supported professional development, critical reflection, and exchange of knowledge among HEIs’ staff. A key objective was to embed IDEA into policies, teaching, governance, and support systems by offering adaptable frameworks rooted in lived experiences. It also aimed to promote structural change by raising awareness of inequalities, strengthening leadership engagement, and empowering institutions to act intentionally. Ultimately, the project sought to create a sustainable, transnational network of IDEA practitioners committed to disseminate innovative and transferable resources, capable of influencing both practices and policies
The IDEA-net project was born out of a shared recognition of the urgent need to embed inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) more systematically within higher education institutions (HEIs) across Europe. Despite isolated efforts, many institutions lacked coordinated, research-informed strategies to support IDEA work. The project addressed the need for structured frameworks, capacity building, and practical tools to promote sustainable change, especially in contexts where IDEA infrastructure is still emerging, such as the Western Balkans (WB) region. It aimed to foster inclusive institutional cultures, support leadership and staff development, and ensure that IDEA initiatives are context-sensitive and aligned with local realities. Partners also identified the need to critically reflect on their own policies, improve support for underrepresented groups, and enable evidence-based decision-making. IDEA-net provided an opportunity to exchange practices, bridge gaps between policy and practice, inspire innovation, strengthen regional collaborations to support long-term transformation and empower staff, students, and faculty to become change agents in building equitable and resilient learning environments.