Representatives from DIVERSE took part in the European Universities Coordinators’ Working Retreat held in Brussels, organised by the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) of the European Commission.
The event brought together coordinators from 73 European University Alliances in a collaborative and participatory setting. Through group discussions, participants explored key topics such as:
• The role of alliances within their ecosystems
• The future of Erasmus+ support for alliances
• Performance monitoring and impact
From a student perspective, as highlighted during the discussions, challenges such as low awareness, accessibility, funding, and recognition continue to limit participation in mobility programmes. Strengthening communication — through external outreach, internal dissemination, and student ambassador initiatives — was identified as a key lever to address these barriers.
A key message emerging from the discussions was the need to recognise the diversity among alliances and avoid a “one size fits all” approach. Notably, some alliances — including DIVERSE — continue advancing their mission without dedicated EU funding, relying on their own resources and strong institutional commitment.
Looking ahead, European University Alliances are expected to further strengthen their international dimension under the EU’s Global Europe strategy (2028–2034), expanding partnerships beyond Europe while promoting responsible internationalisation. As they evolve from project-based networks into globally recognised actors, these alliances will play a key role in attracting global talent, fostering international collaboration, and reinforcing Europe’s position in skills development, economic growth, and global cooperation.
The retreat also offered a valuable opportunity to reflect on the future of the European Universities Initiative beyond 2028 and the challenges ahead.
DIVERSE was represented by Bruno Van Koeckhoven, Ana Tecilazić and Leticia Díaz, reinforcing the alliance’s commitment to collaboration and the future of European higher education
