Reports & Research

Since launching the Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement in 2021, our five universities have been working together with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to support the city region and its people through long-term civic collaboration.

This page brings together our latest impact reports, including the most recent 2025 Annual Report, which highlights how our partnership is evolving to meet Greater Manchester’s needs – from green skills and digital innovation to student voice, community engagement and inclusive growth.

You’ll also find previous reports and background documents that chart the progress of our Civic Agreement over time – from the early polling work that helped identify public priorities, to the first formal report setting out future ambitions, and our follow-up publication capturing year two developments. Together, these resources provide a detailed picture of how our collective efforts are evolving to meet the changing needs of Greater Manchester.

Whether you're a policymaker, educator, student, community leader or resident, we hope these reports offer insight into how our universities are listening, collaborating, and taking action for the benefit of the region we all call home.

  • The most recent report highlights how Greater Manchester’s universities are scaling up their civic efforts through collaboration, innovation, and community voice.

    📌 Highlights include:

    • Over 83m people engaged through public events, exhibitions and performances

    • 371,502 learner days of professional development delivered to employers and communities

    • 600+ SMEs supported through digital innovation initiatives

    • Cross-university Green Careers Mission showcased at the GM Green Summit

    • Refreshed civic priorities shaped with direct input from the Citizens’ Panel

    • Stronger partnerships with GM Colleges and the Greater Manchester Student Partnership

    🔗 Read the report

  • Published July 2023

    The 2023 report showcases some of the first tangible results of our civic collaboration, marking a key moment in the development of our long-term regional partnerships.

    📌 Highlights include:

    • Launch of the Greater Manchester Citizens’ Panel – bringing together 50 residents from all ten boroughs to provide ongoing insight, challenge, and guidance for university-led initiatives

    • Pilot Maths Buddy Programme – supporting young people to build confidence and improve attainment in a key area of learning

    • Open SME platform – improving access for local businesses and charities to short courses and professional training offered by Greater Manchester’s universities

    🔗 Read the report

  • Published July 2022

    Our first full impact report sets out the ambitions that underpin the Civic University Agreement. It forecasts the long-term contribution our universities can make – from training vital public service workers to driving innovation and regional growth.

    📌 Highlights include:

    • Plans to train 9,500 nurses, 3,500 medics, and 8,500 teachers

    • £1.3 billion+ of research activity with businesses and public sector partners

    • Support for the creation of 1,000+ new companies and charities

    • Forecast of £366 million in services for local businesses and third-sector organisations

    • A bold vision for how universities can support the region over five years

    🔗 Read the report

  • Published October 2021

    Before the agreement was launched, we asked over 1,000 Greater Manchester residents what they most wanted from their universities. This summary outlines the results – and the public mandate that shaped our shared civic mission.

    📌 Highlights include:

    • Views from 1,000+ residents across all ten boroughs

    • Clear public demand for university action on skills, inequality, and climate

    • A call for more visible and accessible university-community collaboration

    • Evidence that continues to shape civic priorities today

    🔗 View the summary