The CIVICA 4All project is implemented at SGH from 1 October 2025 to 31 May 2027. The total funding amounts to PLN 1,365,150.00. The project was initiated jointly by the Office of Accessibility and Support for People with Disabilities, the Department of Social Policy, the International Centre, and the Physical Education and Sport Centre.
The project addresses the challenges faced by contemporary higher education which, in the context of the growing diversity of the academic community and dynamic social and technological change, must ensure the accessibility of education, research, and sports and cultural activities for all. The project aligns with NAWA’s priorities, supports the internationalisation of science, knowledge transfer, and the implementation of equality policies.
As an active member of the CIVICA alliance, SGH has for many years implemented policies and practices supporting equality, accessibility and diversity, including through the Office of Accessibility and Support for People with Disabilities and the International Centre. The university continues to develop a support system for persons with disabilities and those with specific needs, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The substantive potential of these activities is reinforced by the Department of Social Policy, whose research interests include the analysis of public policies on disability.
The project is addressed to a wide range of beneficiaries: academic teachers and administrative staff, who will enhance their competences in accessibility and diversity, as well as students and doctoral candidates – including persons with specific needs, migrants and international students – who will benefit from improved accessibility of teaching and enhanced support in the education process. The activities will involve SGH staff and students as well as representatives of CIVICA partner universities.
Project objectives
The aim of the CIVICA 4All project is to support the development of SGH’s internationalisation by strengthening its cooperation potential within the CIVICA alliance.
The specific objectives of the CIVICA 4All project are:
- To develop cooperation between SGH and CIVICA universities in increasing the accessibility of academic teaching by enhancing the accessibility of the education process for students with specific needs through improving the competences of SGH staff, academic teachers and representatives of CIVICA universities.
- To promote an inclusive approach to conducting research for persons with specific needs through:
- increasing the competences of SGH academic staff in participatory and accessible planning and implementation of the research process, in particular with regard to including persons with various disabilities in research teams;
- collecting and disseminating good practices in the field of accessible teaching and inclusive research from CIVICA universities;
- exchanging experience and knowledge in increasing accessibility, equality and diversity through the organisation of an international conference;
- preparing a scientific publication on accessibility and inclusion in various dimensions, based on the experience of CIVICA universities.
- To promote an inclusive, active and equality-based student and academic culture implemented through sports and cultural activities and training, aimed at building community and overcoming barriers to international cooperation
These objectives will be implemented by SGH within the framework of cooperation among CIVICA universities through the exchange of experience and the strengthening of competences of the alliance’s academic community in this area.
The implementation of the project will contribute to enhancing the quality and inclusiveness of education and research in the international environment, as well as to disseminating good practices in accessibility, promoting diversity, non-discrimination and social inclusion in various types of activities, including sports.
The implementation of each project objective is based on close cooperation with CIVICA universities. Each specific objective complements activities already carried out within CIVICA work packages. Moreover, all objectives and activities envisaged in the project are consistent with:
SGH Internationalisation Strategy 2022–2032, implemented in the following strategic areas:
- internationalisation of research;
- education based on global standards;
- relations with the environment – the prestige and brand of SGH worldwide;
- modern infrastructure for internationalisation.
SGH Accessibility Strategy, aligned with the following strategic areas:
- the education process;
- research, teaching and professional development;
- shaping attitudes and expanding the knowledge of the academic community in the field of accessibility.
Project Team
The project team is responsible for the coordination and ongoing implementation of the planned tasks. The team consists of:
- Dr. Justyna Kapturkiewicz – Project Manager
- Dr. Magdalena Kocejko – Deputy Project Manager, Coordinator of Task 3
- Dr. Edyta Zduńska-Leseux – Coordinator of Task 1
- Ms Małgorzata Chromy – Coordinator of Task 2
- Mr Tomasz Piotrowski – Coordinator of Task 5
Steering Committee
The strategic body overseeing the proper and timely implementation of the project is the Steering Committee appointed by the Rector of SGH. The Committee consists of:
- Dr hab. Jacek Prokop, Prof. SGH – Chair;
- Dr hab. Michał Bernardelli, Prof. SGH
- Dr hab. Paweł Kubicki, Prof. SGH
- Dr. Rafał Towalski
- Dr. Małgorzata Znoykowicz-Wierzbicka
Project tasks
The project is divided into five tasks aimed at achieving the project objectives
- TASK 1: CIVICA POWER: DISABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH & INCLUSION CONFERENCE
As part of the project, a two-day event is planned, comprising workshops and an expert conference, the aim of which will be to exchange experience and good practices among universities belonging to the CIVICA alliance.
Each of the CIVICA partner universities, based on its own experience, organisational structures and applicable legal frameworks, has developed individual solutions in the area of support for persons with diverse needs and in building an inclusive academic community.
The planned event will create a space for presenting these experiences and for mutual inspiration through solutions implemented at CIVICA alliance universities.
The organisation of a conference and workshops devoted to inclusion, diversity and the accessibility of education and research processes constitutes not only a response to current social and scientific challenges, but also a strategic initiative supporting the development of a more open, equality-based and innovative academic environment in Europe. This initiative will enable the development of new solutions conducive to increasing the accessibility of science and ensuring equal opportunities in conducting research.The workshops will have a practical character and will focus on the participatory development of good practices in ensuring the accessibility of the education process and the research process. Simulation activities are also planned, enabling participants to experience barriers and difficulties resulting from various types of disabilities, using specialist training equipment such as wheelchairs, ageing simulators, glasses simulating visual impairments, and white canes for persons who are blind.
The conference will consist of two thematic blocks. The first will focus on the experience of units supporting persons with diverse needs operating at CIVICA alliance universities. The second block will focus on issues related to inclusive and accessible research processes.
The event is scheduled for 24–25 November 2026. The detailed programme will be published at a later date.
- TASK 2: CIVICA CONNECT: SPORT, CULTURE & INCLUSION FESTIVAL
Sport and culture are universal languages of communication that support values such as equality, inclusion and shared European heritage.
This task involves organising a multidimensional sport and cultural event aimed at students, academic staff and administrative personnel from partner universities forming the CIVICA alliance.The event will accommodate approximately 200 participants, take place on-site, and will include:
- sporting competitions (including, among others, sailing regattas, beach volleyball, boccia, kayaking and other water sports);
- educational activities focusing on accessibility, inclusion, equality and the prevention of social exclusion (including racism and discrimination on various grounds) in sport, which will complement the other project activities;
- activities promoting culture and shared European values, including elements of cultural heritage, contemporary art, and intercultural dialogue.
The task will be implemented in support of activities coordinated by SGH under WP9: CIVICA Community and Identity, which aims to build identity and community within the CIVICA alliance.
The sports festival is scheduled for 24–27 June 2026.
- TASK 3: CIVICA EXCHANGE: STUDY VISITS & INCLUSION NETWORKING
This task involves carrying out study visits and thematic trips to events organised by universities within the CIVICA alliance, focusing on issues of inclusion, accessibility, diversity, and equal treatment.
Study visits to partner universities in the CIVICA alliance that are distinguished by achievements in accessibility and social diversity will allow practical insight into existing effective solutions. This will facilitate their adaptation and implementation at SGH in the future. Effective benchmarking will enable comparison and evaluation of current practices, while also identifying areas requiring improvement. This, in turn, will contribute to enhancing the quality and effectiveness of further initiatives aimed at building an inclusive university.
Institutions will be selected for visits based on a similar profile in education or research, as well as those implementing inspiring solutions that can serve as best-practice examples and motivation for further development in this area.
- Task 4: CIVICA TOGETHER: EDUCATION, RESEARCH & INCLUSION GOOD PRACTICES
This task comprises three complementary activities aimed at increasing the inclusiveness and accessibility of education and research in the academic environment.
The first element is the preparation and publication of an English-language academic publication dedicated to the accessibility of the education and research process, taking into account the experiences of CIVICA alliance universities. Research for the publication will be conducted, among other activities, during the study visits.
The second activity involves the development of two compendia of good practices in the areas of: the accessibility of education and the accessibility of research. The compendia will incorporate principles of universal design and the needs of various groups at risk of exclusion in an international academic environment. They will be prepared in plain language, in cooperation with CIVICA universities, and published digitally in both Polish and English.
The third component of the task is the development of a screening process for specific needs at SGH among students and staff, including participants in international mobility programmes.
The process of systematic identification and planning of support will begin with self-assessment, containing basic questions that will allow preliminary verification of potential support needs. The second stage will involve a detailed interview regarding difficulties in the education process or in conducting research. Identifying these difficulties and subsequently implementing appropriate forms of support will enhance the quality of education and research. The introduction of a two-stage assessment (self-assessment and specialist evaluation by the Office of Accessibility and Support for People with Disabilities) will allow effective management of the support system for persons with specific needs at SGH.The aim of this solution is to establish systemic support for students and staff in defining their needs. The solution will not only raise awareness of available support at SGH, but also highlight that individuals with similar types and degrees of disability may differ in their functioning within the academic environment. Additionally, the scope of necessary support may vary depending on the field of study and selected courses.
An additional element of the task will be the development of a process to ensure the accessibility of research conducted in teams that include persons with disabilities. The process will be developed, among other sources, based on good practices observed in CIVICA universities. It will include ensuring accessibility from the perspective of academic staff, as well as tools for reviewing research plans and budgets to assess their inclusiveness and accessibility.
The implementation of this task will contribute to improving the quality of education and research, fostering international cooperation, and strengthening the position of Polish universities within European academic alliances.
- Task 5: CIVICA TRAINING ON INCLUSION
The training, aimed at SGH students and students from other CIVICA universities, is designed to raise awareness of inclusion, equality and diversity in a changing, internationalised academic environment.
Participants will have the opportunity to explore the essence of these concepts, as well as understand how they can influence everyday university life and interactions among its members. The main objective of the activity is to create a space where every person, regardless of their identity, background, sexual orientation, religion, gender, social status or any other characteristic, can feel respected, valued and fully supported.
Participants will learn the significance of equality, understood not only as equal treatment but also as ensuring equal access to opportunities and educational resources, as well as research development possibilities. In this way, the university can become a place that fosters the intellectual and personal growth of every member of the academic community.
The training will also cover practical actions that students can take to actively contribute to building a more open, fair and supportive university environment. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own attitudes and behaviours and will learn how they can counteract exclusion, discrimination and marginalisation in daily university life.
The training will enable students to acquire concrete tools and skills that they can use to promote inclusion and equality, both within their student community and at a wider societal level.
The training is scheduled for 25 June 2026.
CIVICA
European Universities Support
International cooperation
Opportunities for people with disabilities
Physical education and sport
Department of Social Policy
