Positive Impact Partners

The Positive Impact Partners programme connects third sector and civic organisations with researchers and students at the University of Leeds. 

Our aim is to help establish long-term, sustainable partnerships which support collaboration through research, teaching and the exchange of academic and practice-based knowledge to help solve challenges in our communities 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).   

SDG 17 – partnerships for the goals - highlights the importance of partnerships to deliver sustainable development. The Positive Impact Partners (PIP) programme aims to enable these partnerships. It is open to public, voluntary, community, and social enterprises across Leeds, as well as staff and students across the University. 

Through the exchange of knowledge, expertise, resources and with the benefit of a diversity of problem-solving approaches, collaborative partnerships between public, private, civic and academic sectors can create innovative and imaginative solutions to big challenges.  

Collaboration between students and organisations can bring creativity and innovation to real-world problems, and partnerships between civic organisations and academics can combine practical knowledge and research expertise to create wider social, environmental and economic impacts.  

Our work within the programme is underpinned by the principles of respect, equity, shared knowledge, and mutual benefit.