The RCE is member of the DIESIS Research Alliance Network “RAISE – Research Alliance for Innovation in Sustainable Economy“, which is focusing on research and innovation for sustainable entrepreneurship, to strengthen its relevance and impact, and to produce  knowledge and open collaborative networks for the common good.

DIESIS Network's mission is to support the development of the social economy in Europe and in the world. Founded in 1997, Diesis Network is now one of the widest networks specialised in supporting the development of the social economy, social entrepreneurship and social innovation.

In view of the high social, economic and ecological stakes, they are deeply convinced that a global commitment from all stakeholders and a collaborative approach is the only response to a global crisis. Therefore, they put great value on their 50+ member organisations in 20+ countries.

Functioning as a unique ecosystem, they create and multiply the impact through a close collaboration with their members, who represent over 90 000 organisations and 1.2 million jobs through major national federations and support networks.

Their team is actively engaged in implementing knowledge-based activities such as training, project design, consultancy and advisory services, technical assistance and research.

The VÖWG represents the interests of the public sector, particularly in the area of services of general interest. Services of general interest are understood to be public and public welfare-orientated activities for the provision of necessary goods and (services) within the framework of a community. According to the definition of the EU Commission (2003), this includes market-related and non-market-related activities that are provided in the public interest and are therefore linked to specific public service obligations by the authorities. The VÖWG therefore represents companies and organisations that provide services of general interest owned by, with the participation of or on behalf of local authorities. In addition to public infrastructure (passenger transport, water, energy, waste), the concept of services of general interest also includes education, health, culture and social services. The VÖWG represents interests at European and national level and works in the areas of economy, finance and internal market, social affairs and health, media and communication, transport, environment and energy. The aim is to improve the networking of local authorities and public enterprises with institutions from politics, business and science at national and European level. As the Austrian section of the European Federation of Public Enterprises in Brussels - SGI Europe - the VÖWG is part of the European social partners and is involved in the development of legislation. In addition, as a member of the International Centre for Research and Information on Community Affairs - CIRIEC - based in Liège, Belgium, the VÖWG makes use of international expertise and contacts. In this way, it safeguards the interests of its members and plays an effective role in shaping European economic and social policy.

Alliance of Sustainable Universities in Austria

The Alliance of Sustainable Universities in Austria is a national association of 15 Austrian universities(as of 2019) that are committed to sustainability issues:

• Alpen Adria University Klagenfurt
• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna
• Vienna University of Economics and Business
• Danube University Krems
• Johannes Kepler University Linz
• University of Graz
• Graz University of the Arts
• University of Music and Performing Arts
• Mozarteum University Salzburg
• University of Leoben
• University of Salzburg
• Graz University of Technology
• University of Applied Arts Vienna
• Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck
• University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

The University of Graz and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna launched this initiative at the beginning of 2012 with the support of the Federal Ministry of Science and Research. The objectives of the alliance are cross-university activities and the exchange of experience as well as the utilisation of synergies between the universities in the following five areas of work:

• Sustainability in teaching
• Sustainability in research
• Business ecology
• Knowledge transfer and public relations work on sustainability topics
• Strategic development/sustainability strategy

The overarching goals are to anchor sustainability issues more firmly at universities and thus contribute to a sustainable society.

Copernicus Alliance

The COPERNICUS Alliance is the European University Network for Sustainable Development. The University of Graz is one of the founding members of this network, which was officially launched in 2010 with a kick-off workshop in Graz, and it also assumed the presidency from 2010 to 2012.
The COPERNICUS Charter, which was developed by the European University Rectors' Conference in 1993 and signed by 326 universities by 2005, was the basis for the creation of the COPERNICUS Alliance. This charter was revised when the network was re-established. The vision of the COPERNICUS Alliance is to promote sustainable development within the European higher education sector by developing education and research together with social stakeholders.

Climate Alliance

The RCE Graz-Styria is an official Climate Alliance company and thus supports climate protection measures. The Climate Alliance is the largest municipal climate protection network in Europe. Municipalities, schools and businesses form a partnership with indigenous organisations in the Amazon. The Climate Alliance was founded in 1990 in Frankfurt am Main between representatives from twelve municipalities (from Austria, Germany and Switzerland), delegates from six indigenous organisations and representatives from 15 other organisations (universities, NGOs, etc.). Parallel to the establishment of the Climate Alliance's European Secretariat in Frankfurt am Main, coordination centres were set up in several countries at regional or national level. The Climate Alliance is now active in 18 European countries.

oikos Graz

"oikos Graz - Students for Sustainable Economics and Management" is a student organisation that tries to encourage all students to act more sustainably through its events and projects. Events "by students for students" make it easier for young people to gain access to an omnipresent topic.
oikos Graz is part of an international network that was founded in 1987 by students at the University of St. Gallen to include environmental and sustainability aspects in their business and law studies. Today, over 50 groups are active in Europe, America and Asia.

Sustainability4U

Sustainability4U is a co-operation of the four universities in Graz(University of Graz, Medical University, University of Art and Design and University of Technology). University of Technology) to bundle and promote their endeavours for sustainable development. This strategic advisory, development and action committee was set up in 2009 on the initiative of the four rectors and has since been able to set the tone at inter-university level.
By joining forces, the four universities in Graz aim to play a pioneering role at local, national and international level. Based on the ecological, economic, social and institutional principles of sustainable development, the aim of Sustainability4U is to tackle intra- and inter-university, regional, national and global challenges and provide appropriate answers. These include inter- and transdisciplinary teaching and research, student education and staff training and the areas of management and administration.
The Sustainability4U team includes people from each university who are involved in the process of sustainable development at the respective university. Regular meetings are held to exchange ideas and experiences, enabling "big" issues to be tackled quickly and constructively.

UniNEt

Responsibility for sustainable development

The project UniNEtZ - Universitiesand Sustainable DevelopmentGoalsis a project initiated by the "Alliance of Sustainable Universities in Austria", in which a total of 15 (as of 2020) universities have joined forces to form a platform since 2012. The aim of the UniNEtZ project is to draw up an options paper for the Austrian federal government that identifies and evaluates future-oriented options for action in line with the implementation decided by the Council of Ministers. As a short-term interim goal, this is intended to support the Republic of Austria in its obligation to report to the UN High-level Political Forum (HLPF) in spring 2020. At the same time, however, the implementation of sustainable development in Austria is the main objective. This results in desirable synergies - e.g. improved interdisciplinary networking and increased cooperation between the universities and the non-university research institutions and subordinate departments that are particularly relevant to the Ministry of Science - and the joint identification of research needs and options for action.

Universities:

• Alpen Adria University Klagenfurt
• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna
• Danube University Krems
• Johannes Kepler University Linz
• University of Graz
• Graz University of the Arts
• University of Music and Performing Arts
• Mozarteum University Salzburg
• Medical University of Innsbruck
• University of Leoben
• University of Salzburg
• Graz University of Technology
• University of Applied Arts Vienna
• Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck
• University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna