Today, Tuesday, the Commission published the fifth invitation submission of Erasmus+ proposals for the further development of the “European Universities” initiative. The European strategy for universities has set the goal of creating, by mid-2024, at least 60 European university alliances; in which more than 500 universities will participate. The call ends on February 6, 2024.

This announcement will support the deepening of institutional international cooperation between higher education institutions. New alliances can also apply. An important innovation this year is the possibility of setting up a Community of Practice of European Universities for closer cooperation, which is expected to have a positive impact on the exchange of results and good practices between the alliances and beyond.

Mr. Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President responsible for Promoting our European Way of Life, said: “With their European international campuses, European university alliances make Europe a reality for new generations. They are instrumental in developing a strong sense of belonging to Europe and cultivating future skills for young students and lifelong learners through upskilling and reskilling. Students are offered an international, multidisciplinary and socially conscious higher education, with innovative teaching and learning, so that they acquire the skills they need to meet the challenges of our time and become active citizens. It also means recognizing a common European degree across Europe as a symbol of these skills of the future.”

THE Mrs. Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth added: “We have made a strong commitment to European universities. With this year’s Erasmus+ call, we will strengthen cooperation in higher education by involving more than 500 universities by mid-2024. The call offers opportunities to create alliances with open, green and connected inter-university campuses, where mobility and collaboration experiences are an integral part of any higher education program and where students can work cross-border with professors, researchers, companies and innovators in interdisciplinary international projects.”

European University Alliances support international cooperation between different higher education institutions across Europe, covering all their missions: education, research, innovation and contribution to society. Following the Erasmus+ announcements of 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023, 50 European university alliances have been created, currently involving over 430 higher education institutions across Europe.

Athena Papakosta