Positive Impact Partners
The Positive Impact Partners programme connects staff and students at the University of Leeds with local communities, civic institutions and third sector organisations. Our aim is to help establish partnerships which support collaboration through research, teaching and the exchange of academic and practice-based knowledge to help solve sustainability challenges in our city and beyond.
The Positive Impact Partners programme delivers work that contributes to the “Supporting a Net Zero City” principle of the University’s Climate Plan. It is guided by the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission’s Climate Action Plan, and the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Partnerships for the Goals
SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals) highlights the importance of partnerships to deliver sustainable development. Collaborative partnerships between public, private, civic and academic sectors can create innovative and imaginative solutions to complex challenges through the exchange of knowledge, expertise, resources and diverse problem-solving approaches.
The Positive Impact Partners (PIP) programme aims to enable these partnerships. Partnerships between civic organisations and academics can combine practical knowledge and research expertise to create social, environmental and economic impacts for issues that affect where we live. For students, working in partnership with local people can be an excellent opportunity to develop skills in collaboration, creativity and a great way to have a meaningful impact in Leeds during their education.
Our work within the programme is underpinned by the principles of respect, equity, shared knowledge, and mutual benefit.
Explore partnerships
Climate resourcefulness across 8 community climate hubs
Community climate action often begins with simple ideas: people coming together to make small changes in the places where they live. Over time, these efforts can grow into...
Nature Recovery, Policy, and Place: Reflections from a Leeds PhD Student
Nature recovery has become a key agenda in addressing biodiversity loss, climate resilience, and community-wellbeing, particularly in urban areas. Over the past few years, the...
Community-Engaged Dissertation Research: A Student Reflection
Emma Green is a final year undergraduate studying BSc Sustainability and Environmental Management (Industrial), who collaborated with the Positive Impact Partners (PIP) programme to conduct community-engaged...
News
Exciting collaboration with Bradford 2025 sustainability partner
Our Positive Impact Partners (PIP) programme is facilitating an innovative partnership between Bradford 2025's sustainability partner, academics and professional services staff from the University of Leeds and...
New research partnership to map nature recovery strategies
We’re thrilled to announce a new research partnership that aims to align nature recovery policies with grassroots community action to create a greener, healthier and more...
A new lease of life for our Sustainable Garden
The Sustainable Garden is about to undergo an exciting relaunch, creating a beautiful edible and wildlife friendly garden at the heart of campus. Located next...
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
We use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to guide our activity. Our work on the Positive Impact Partners programme supports several SDGs, with a particular focus on SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals.
Find out more about our impact on the SDGs.