The 3is Project concluded its two-year journey with a dynamic closing event on 6–7 November 2025 at the University of Gondar, celebrating achievements and charting pathways for the future. Partners reflected on the project’s impact on inclusive, digital, and community-driven higher education and explored opportunities for sustainability and further collaboration.

The event highlighted key structural gaps, including the long-term sustainability of micro-credentials, engagement with external stakeholders, and mechanisms for open-access dissemination. Discussions focused on building on 3is through a proposed 3is+ phase, emphasizing inclusive internationalization, digital innovation, indigenous knowledge integration, and cross-border collaboration for pastoralist and borderland communities.

Sessions showcased innovative approaches such as ASAL and Borderlands University–community innovation hubs, micro-credentials based on indigenous knowledge, digital hubs for employability, and regenerative tourism initiatives. The AU–EU Youth Voices app was presented as a tool to support youth participation, communication, and long-term visibility of project results.

Partners positioned themselves for future collaboration, identifying areas where they can contribute to 3is+ and related initiatives. The closing emphasized that this is not an end but a new beginning, with the foundations laid by 3is ensuring continued impact on higher education, community engagement, and cross-border innovation in Eastern Africa.