Celebrating the progress of the Community Plan 2020-25

The University’s Community Plan 2020-25 ended in October 2025. In this final report, the University shares progress made since the Plan’s launch in November 2020.

The Community Plan is the University’s strategy for how it engages with communities in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Borders and Fife. The aim of engagement is to create positive social impact for these communities.

The University has made progress on all 32 of the Plan’s commitments. Milestones since 2020 have been:

  • The launch of a partnership with IntoUniversity, which includes an education centre in Craigmillar, Edinburgh.
  • Full commitment of £8 million of University funds to social investments.
  • The launch of the Binks Hub, advancing the involvement of community researchers in research.
  • The launch of Education Beyond Borders, enhancing University support for refugee scholars.
  • Providing free meeting space to almost 200 local community groups through University adoption of the Community Access to Rooms scheme.
  • Opening the Usher and Edinburgh Futures Institute buildings, designed with local partners in mind.
  • Repurposing Rullion Green Wood in the Pentland Hills Regional Park to enhance its biodiversity, animal habitats and public access.
  • Publishing the University’s Race Review, development of which included robust community engagement.
  • Completing the Our Edinburgh Neighbourhood project, improving best practice in community planning.

There are still a handful of commitments yet to be fully realised. Work to progress these commitments is part of the Community Plan 2025-30, which is already in motion. 

Our review of progress with delivering our Community Plan shows how we’ve worked with our community partners to deliver positive change. The progress shown across all areas of the plan demonstrates our steadfast commitment to being a good and welcoming neighbour.

Gemma Gourlay Head of Social Impact

Get involved

Since 2020, 10,810 hours of students’ volunteering time has been recognised through the national Saltire Award, with over 100 students volunteering for last year’s Big Sort alone.

The University has fully committed £8 million in social investments, including £50,000 with Prosper Social Finance, the UK’s first student-run socially responsible investment fund.

With your involvement, even more can be achieved with local communities. You can invite the Community Team to come and speak at your society’s meetings, volunteer via the Students’ Association or join the Edinburgh Community Engagement Forum.

Read on to find out more about how you can play your part in the Community Plan:

Read the report

Read the new Community Plan 2025–30

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