Creating an enabling urban environment, including aspects related to environment, social initiatives, and cultural development, is undeniably crucial for attracting and retaining talent. In this regard, companies involved in CSR initiatives could serve as valuable partners for universities in realizing their third mission. This partnership could encompass initiating student projects, supporting the university’s role as a think tank, and collaborating on activities with NGOs and social entrepreneurs.

And what are the opportunities the third mission offers to the university staff?

Within universities, there are structural units that seek external funding opportunities. By implementing various third mission projects, these units can establish their reputation among potential clients for conducting various activities such as research, analytics, and more. Eventually they can start providing services for commercial projects commissioned by companies or government bodies at the regional and city levels.

The Ural Federal University (UrFU) has an interesting example to share. In 2022, it launched a grant competition for university employees. The contests was funded with the university’s own funds, and its aim was to assist NGOs in developing projects eligible for funding through grant competitions offered by the Presidential Grants Fund and the Presidential Cultural Initiatives Contest. [38] The university can act as a partner with NGOs in implementing the winning projects.

The NGOs can also be interested in partnering with a university, including its role as a source of professional development for their employees. For instance, NGO leaders and specialists may choose to work with students in the capacity of lecturers or research associates at a university, often on a part-time basis.

Lastly, it is essential to emphasize that universities hold a reputable position in validating and affirming the credibility of the NGO performance and the methodologies they employ. When an organization can substantiate its social impacts with research findings, it adds a layer of authenticity to its work. Universities are well-suited to provide such validation, making partnerships with universities an important and promising avenue in this regard.

What universities can be called the leaders in developing the third mission in Russia? What kind of projects and new developments do they offer?

Yaroslavl State University, for instance, is expanding its close partnership with the regional resource center for NGO support, which is headed by Elena Isaeva. At the same time, YarGU promotes the third mission development among the universities in the Upper Volga macro-region as part of the “Priority 2030” program.

Another notable example of the third mission implementation is St. Petersburg State University, which has implemented a “clinical practice” format for its students. What does it mean, exactly?

Many are familiar with legal clinics run by universities, where students provide free legal advice to those in need. This helps upper-year students gain the necessary practical experience and get a better knowledge of the regulatory documents, while addressing various legal issues faced by the public.

The format of legal clinics has been picked up by more than one hundred universities in Russia. [39]

However, it is not just the legal clinic alone. St. Petersburg State University has 15 other clinics providing social services, psychological advice, conflict management, environment consultations, etc. [40]

I believe this format has a great future for the realization of the third mission of the university, wherein students and staff together solve urgent and important socio-economic problems while staying immersed into the process of education. [41]

What are the possible formats of impact investing in third mission projects?

The first pilot project, implemented in the impact investment format with direct government support, was called “Improving the Educational Performance results of School Students in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)” [42] . The project was organized by VEB.RF and implemented by NRU HSE.