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The project falls within the competitive call for grants for the implementation of University Cooperation for Development Projects 2025, promoted as part of UNED’s Institutional Strengthening Plan.

Its objective is to foster inter-university cooperation between UNED and the University of Cadi (Marrakech) in the field of sustainability. To this end, a team of ten people from each university has been formed, including three associate vice-rectors linked to the topic, as well as specialists with extensive experience in sustainability and international cooperation.

The main activities consist of two training courses — one in Marrakech in November 2025 and another in Madrid in March 2026 — which will address the key elements that a sustainability policy should include in its various dimensions: management, infrastructure, teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and outreach.

These courses will be attended by members of the entire university community (faculty, administrative and service staff, and students), and the working groups will be joint, with contributions from both UNED and the local partner. This will promote two-way learning and mutual exchange of best practices. The conclusions from both courses will be compiled in a joint document.

It is expected that the project, in addition to consolidating the Sustainability Policy and the SDGs at the University of Cadi, will generate synergies that strengthen UNED’s sustainability policy through a process of bidirectional cooperation.

Interuniversity cooperation is a strategic pathway to strengthen higher education in the face of global challenges such as climate change and inequality. Universities, as generators of knowledge and international networks, play a key role in social transformation.
UNED has embraced this commitment through its International Strengthening Plan, which promotes solidarity projects, overseas centers, and UNESCO Chairs. Notable initiatives include “Teachers in Africa” and support for centers in Equatorial Guinea.
In the field of sustainability, interuniversity cooperation has gained special relevance. It is essential for universities to adopt institutional policies that integrate environmental, social, and economic criteria into their management, teaching, and research. These policies not only guide internal actions but also reinforce the institutions’ commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to society as a whole.
The Cadi Ayyad University (UCA) in Marrakesh has taken strong steps in this direction. It has established the National Center for Studies and Research on Water and Energy (CNEREE) and the Center for Inclusive Education and Social Responsibility (CEIRS), which promote applied research and educational inclusion. Its academic offerings include specialized programs in climate change, biodiversity, sustainable tourism, and territorial governance, all aligned with the SDGs. These programs aim to train leaders committed to sustainable development, capable of addressing environmental and social challenges in their communities. Additionally, UCA has promoted university social responsibility initiatives and integrated sustainability into its institutional management model.
UNED, for its part, has developed an ambitious sustainability policy based on the 2030 Agenda. This includes actions such as energy-efficient renovations of its facilities—with improvements exceeding 30%—promotion of self-consumption, LED lighting, and the incorporation of renewable energies. It also drives the Institutional Carbon Neutrality Plan, which recognizes the most committed campuses and encourages environmental audits, emissions inventories, and mitigation plans. Its educational offerings include programs such as the Master’s in Climate Change Management, the Master’s in Environmental Management and Energy Economics, the course on Environmental Sustainability Management in Educational Centers, and the Interuniversity Master’s in Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (UNED-UJI).
In this context, promising opportunities for cooperation between UNED and UCA emerge. Both institutions share a strategic vision focused on sustainability, inclusion, and territorial development. Collaboration could take shape through joint research projects, academic exchanges, specialized training, and the development of green campuses. The complementarity between UNED’s digital expertise and UCA’s territorial approach offers a unique opportunity to build hybrid, resilient educational models adapted to 21st-century challenges.
Ultimately, interuniversity cooperation for development not only strengthens educational institutions but also contributes to building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world.