Community-funded environmental innovation as a new university governance trend

Abstract

Community‑funded environmental innovation (CFEI) represents an emerging governance model in which universities and local communities co‑finance, co‑design, and co‑implement sustainability projects, shifting communities from passive beneficiaries to active co‑investors. This paper defines CFEI, situates it within the broader rise of university‑community partnerships, and examines its potential to integrate teaching, research, operations, and civic engagement. A systematic Scopus search was conducted, requiring the simultaneous presence of “community‑university partnerships,” “community‑based research,” and “community‑based participatory research” in titles, abstracts, or keywords, yielding 648 peer‑reviewed articles spanning 2000–2025. The analysis identified five core characteristics of CFEI—shared funding mechanisms, participatory governance, co‑creation of solutions, embedded learning environments, and local sustainability impact, and mapped its evolution through a sharp increase in relevant publications after 2010. Empirical evidence shows that CFEI enhances student leadership, provides experiential “living‑lab” settings, and generates context‑specific innovations that strengthen regional resilience. However, persistent barriers include fragmented institutional efforts, limited senior‑management support, and insufficient resources for sustained partnership work. The study highlights ongoing debates over power‑sharing, trust-building, and the measurement of partnership success. Findings suggest that whole‑institution alignment, integrated planning, and supportive governance structures are essential to scale CFEI and advance Sustainable Development Goals through equitable, community‑driven environmental innovation.