This report outlines findings from a qualitative evaluation of the Students Learning with Communities (SLWC) programme at Technological University (TU) Dublin, undertaken by the evaluation, quality and inspection (EQI) research team at Dublin City University (DCU) in Spring 2024. The evaluation team were tasked with answering the following research questions: ● What facilitates and hinders responsiveness with regard to the university’s engagement with communities? ● What lessons can TU Dublin use to develop new supports for community engaged research outside the curriculum, seeking to sustain best practices and build on what worked well, to develop new, more effective supports? ● What challenges and enablers did participants encounter in programme delivery? Data gathered from focus groups and one-to-one interviews held with key stakeholders who had direct involvement with the SLWC programme team revealed numerous enablers to successful programme delivery, including: ● support with administrative and logistical tasks, ● staff/student recognition and awards, ● effective establishment of projects, ● facilitation of connections and collaborations, and ● practical workshops and training. Having acknowledged these successes and their desire for the project to be strengthened in the future, the participants in the research were keen to identify specific areas that should be addressed to increase the project’s effectiveness. This included elements such as ongoing communication and engagement between key stakeholders after projects had been established, timing and scheduling issues, resource constraints, continuity and sustainability of the programme, and continued recognition and visibility of programme successes. It is evident that these key areas need to be addressed to sustain and strengthen the structures allowing for successful delivery of future impactful, collaborative projects. The EQI team provided a set of robust recommendations across six key areas, namely: 1. Enhancing communication and promotion of the programme. 2. Ensuring appropriate resource allocation and support. 3. Embedding inclusivity and accessibility. 4. Enhancing experiential learning and student development. 5. Ensuring integration and formalisation of the programme. 6. Highlighting the significance of evaluation.