A European Inclusion Reference Framework
for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity
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IncluDE Newsletter - June 2026
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IncluDE is an Erasmus+ funded project focused on enhancing inclusion, equity and diversity in higher education institutions across Europe. By developing innovative tools and resources, the project empowers institutions to address systemic challenges and create inclusive academic environments that support all students. |
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Dear colleague, Welcome to the latest IncluDE newsletter, bringing together updates from across the project. Here, you will find news from the different work areas, recent activities, and information about upcoming events and opportunities. We hope this newsletter helps you stay informed about the work and outcomes of #IncluDE_EUproject and encourage you to share relevant updates with colleagues and other contacts who may be interested.
Happy reading! |
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Advancing the IncluDE Framework The IncluDE project continues to make strong progress in developing its Inclusion Reference Framework and evaluation instrument. A prototype Inclusion Maturity Model has been designed to help higher education institutions identify, understand, and address inclusion challenges across the entire student journey. The model enables reflection and self-assessment at both practitioner and institutional levels, supporting continuous improvement in inclusion, diversity, and equity practices. A first version of the framework was presented during the IncluDE workshop, organised within EADTU’s 2026 Staff Training Event on 2 and 3 June. Participants welcomed the model’s practical approach and highlighted its potential to support institutions in strengthening inclusive policies and practices. The positive feedback gathered during the workshop will help refine the framework as the project moves into its next phase of development. Would you like to know more about IncluDE? Check our website!  Presentation of the IncluDE Framework at EADTU's Staff Training Event 2026
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Consortium Meeting in Madrid
On 2–3 June 2026, IncluDE partners came together at the Faculty of Education of the National University of Distance Education (UNED)
in Madrid, Spain for two days of exchange, reflection and planning. The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress across the project and shape the next stages of the European Inclusion Reference Framework. Discussions focused on the further development of the Inclusion Evaluation Instrument, including the alignment of proficiency levels with the DigComp framework, and on the Inclusion Monitor, which is being designed around a maturity model approach to help institutions assess and strengthen their inclusion practices. Partners also reviewed the refreshed IncluDE website and explored new visual and video-based dissemination activities to help bring the project's results to a wider higher education audience across Europe.
The IncluDE Consortium and Mario Pena (center), Dean of the Faculty of Education at UNED
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Sharing the IncluDE Journey
Recent IncluDE activities have focused on increasing the project’s visibility and sharing its progress with students, higher education stakeholders and partners across Europe. Through social media channels, such as Instagram and LinkedIn, IncluDE partners have been bringing conversations on inclusion, diversity and equity in higher education to a wider audience.
Alongside these communication activities, the project has also generated more in-depth reflections. These include TAMK's Teaching and Learning Centre blog post When inclusion has no endpoint, reflections from higher education and the journal article Inclusion as an ethical practice in higher education - A learning journey from TAMK, within the IncluDE perspective, which offer practical insights into inclusive, co-created educational practices and the ongoing work to strengthen equity, diversity and inclusion in higher education. Together, these dissemination efforts help keep the conversation on inclusive higher education active and visible. By combining accessible communication with deeper reflection, IncluDE is strengthening awareness, encouraging dialogue and bringing student voices and institutional perspectives into the discussion on more inclusive higher education systems.
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A New Look for IncluDE's Website
The IncluDE website has recently been redesigned and refreshed to provide a more engaging, accessible and user-friendly experience for visitors. The renewed website offers easier navigation, improved access to project resources, and a clearer presentation of IncluDE’s objectives, activities and results.
As the central hub for the project's information, the website brings together news, publications, events and project outputs in one place, making it easier for students, higher education professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders to follow the project’s progress and access its resources. Check out our updated website, and stay informed about the latest developments, resources and opportunities emerging from the project!
IncluDE website |
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IncluDE at International Events
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IncluDE at ECYS 2026
IncluDE continues to increase its visibility through a range of dissemination activities that engage academic, practitioner and stakeholder communities.
The project was presented at the ECYS Research Knowledge Exchange Event, which brought together more than 50 attendees, and was highlighted as a strategic initiative at the The Open University's WELS Faculty Assembly, reaching over 60 in-person participants and more than 685 online attendees. Project flyers were widely requested and distributed, reflecting strong interest in the project’s objectives and activities.
Looking ahead, IncluDE will also be featured in the upcoming ECYS Newsletter, with an estimated readership of more than 3,000. These activities contribute to raising awareness of the project and fostering dialogue around inclusion, diversity and equity in higher education.
Farnaz Rais, Dr Jane Doka, Prof Eric Addae-Kyeremeh, the IncluDE team at The Open University (UK)
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IncluDE at E-INCLUSION III 2026
On 18 June, IncluDE was presented online at the III International Semi-Virtual Congress on e-Inclusion, organised by UNED. The session introduced the project’s work on institutional self-assessment and its role in helping higher education institutions critically examine their inclusion practices.
The presentation highlighted how IncluDE supports universities in moving from good intentions to meaningful, evidence-informed action. Through practical tools and resources, the project aims to help institutions identify gaps, strengthen accessibility, and create more inclusive learning environments for all students.
The congress provided a valuable opportunity to share IncluDE’s work and exchange ideas with colleagues working on inclusion, accessibility, digital literacy, educational technology and innovation across different contexts.
III E-Inclusion Congress |
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IncluDE at RNE5
IncluDE is set to reach new audiences through a feature on Spain’s National Radio (RNE5). The programme was recorded at UNED during the project’s consortium meeting in Madrid, where project representatives presented IncluDE’s objectives, activities and ongoing work to promote inclusion, diversity and equity in higher education.
The radio segment is expected to be broadcast at the end of June and will subsequently be made available online, enabling wider access to the discussion.
Stay tuned and listen back here!
IncluDE Interview, recorded at Radio UNED
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Advancing the Inclusion Framework and Digital Tools
Following productive discussions during the consortium meeting in Madrid, the next phase of IncluDE will focus on consolidating the project's core outputs and translating them into practical tools that can support higher education institutions in their inclusion journeys.
Over the coming months, the partnership will:
- Finalise the Inclusion Reference Framework and associated indicators for assessing institutional inclusivity;
- Further develop the Inclusivity Evaluation Instrument to support evidence-informed self-assessment;
- Define the functional requirements for the future digital environment supporting the project’s outputs; and
- Advance the design of the Inclusion Monitor, Inclusivity Resources Portal and AI Assistant.
These activities will help transform the project’s conceptual work into practical, accessible resources that support institutions in evaluating, strengthening and monitoring inclusive practices. At the same time, IncluDE will continue sharing project results and engaging stakeholders across the higher education sector, fostering dialogue, uptake and continuous improvement. |
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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 European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
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