Published in July, the 2025 Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement Annual Report highlights how the region’s five universities, in collaboration with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), are helping to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our region.

From training the next generation of nurses, teachers and social workers to supporting small businesses and widening access to learning – Greater Manchester’s universities are part of everyday life, and central to building a fairer, greener, more prosperous future. At a time of mounting pressure across the Higher Education sector, this year’s report sends a clear message: Greater Manchester’s Universities are not stepping back from their civic role – they are stepping up.

Working Together for Greater Manchester

In 2021, the region’s five universities – the University of Greater Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Manchester, the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Salford – joined forces with the GMCA to launch the Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement.

One of the largest collaborative agreements of its kind in the UK, the agreement represents a shared commitment to improve the lives of people across Greater Manchester– aligning the strengths of Greater Manchester’s Universities with regional priorities and the voices of local people.

Civic Impact in Action

This year’s report follows the launch of the refreshed Greater Manchester Strategy – a ten-year vision for a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life. In the strategy, Greater Manchester’s Universities are recognised as “vital economic and innovation assets” for the region, and this report shows why.

• Lifelong learning in action –  Over 370,000 days of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) delivered, helping thousands to upskill, retrain and take the next step in their careers.

• Green skills and climate action – From the student-led Green Careers Mission to a region-wide collaborative green skills mapping framework, universities are preparing learners to tackle real-world environmental challenges.

• Business support and innovation – More than 600 local businesses supported through innovation programmes such as the Centre for Digital Innovation – helping them adopt new technologies, grow sustainably and create good jobs.

• Further Education Partnerships – Closer collaboration with GM Colleges is helping to align learner pathways, support innovation in local industries, and address shared workforce challenges across the region.

• Civic engagement in practice – Through the Greater Manchester Citizens’ Panel and Students’ Partnership, local voices are helping shape university priorities – keeping our civic work grounded, relevant, and accountable.

Looking Ahead

Each of these examples reflects a broader civic ambition: to build a region where learning is lifelong, innovation is inclusive, and progress is shaped by those it’s meant to serve.

As Professor Jennie Henley, Chair of the Greater Manchester Civic University Board, puts it:

“It’s truly inspiring to see what happens when we – universities, communities, and local leaders across Greater Manchester – listen, learn together, and take action on the issues that matter most to our region. I hope this report reflects the strength of our shared commitment to continue working side by side for the benefit of Greater Manchester.”

What makes this partnership distinctive isn’t just its scale, but its willingness to listen and to act on what it hears. The Civic University Agreement is about long-term relationships, not quick fixes.

In the years ahead, our universities will continue working alongside the communities they serve – combining their unique strengths with those of partners, learners and citizens to help build a thriving, inclusive and sustainable Greater Manchester.

• See the Greater Manchester University Agreement Annual Report here.