Public--Private Cooperation Funding Juxtaposed of University--Community Engagement in Europe: Systematic Review

Abstract

This article explores the utilization of public–private funding models in European universities and its implications for community empowerment initiatives, particularly University–Community Engagement (UCE) projects. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using the Scopus database, screening 50 articles relating to public–private funding models in European universities. The study reveals that while public–private funding models have gained traction in the academic sphere, they primarily focus on supporting applied science research projects. In contrast, the funding of projects solely oriented toward community empowerment remains limited, with only one article addressing this potential. The findings highlight the challenges associated with employing public–private funding for UCE projects with a strong emphasis on community empowerment. Public–private funding, typically sourced from industry partners, tends to prioritize product innovations and productivity enhancements, posing a mismatch with the social justice-oriented nature of UCE. This discrepancy underscores a significant research gap in UCE and calls for innovative approaches to develop supportive funding frameworks that can effectively sustain UCE initiatives. Keywords: public–private funding, university–community engagement, European University