Building Strong Partnerships
The following examples illustrate different partnership configurations. They should be understood as context-specific, not replicable templates.
Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA, France)
UCA coordinates an education pathway programme in partnership with NGOs and local authorities, supporting refugee students through arrival, enrolment, and integration within the French higher education system.
University of Galway (Ireland)
University of Galway is a partner in the Education Pathway Ireland programme in partnership with Government of Ireland, UNHCR Ireland, NGO Nasc and Pobal na Gaillimhe, the Community Sponsorship Group, supporting refugee students through pre-departure, arrival, recruitment and enrolment, education, employability and integration.
Nexus 3.0 (Portugal)
An NGO serving as a backbone and coordination anchor within Portugal’s education pathways ecosystem.
Nexus 3.0:
Connects universities, government entities, donors, and community sponsors
Aligns partner strategies while respecting institutional autonomy
Acts as a communication and problem-solving hub
Facilitates joint funding proposals and resource sharing
Promotes sustainability by institutionalising partnerships
This model demonstrates how NGOs can play a central coordination role while maintaining flexibility and responsiveness to national and local conditions.
