23/04/2026
🟢 took part in the European Universities Alliances’ Coordinators Retreat in Brussels, organized by DG EAC - European Commission.
💡 It was energizing to see the room packed with passionate voices and inspiring ideas, all focused on discussing the next 2028-2034. All 65 alliances were present, along with various EU networks—special thanks to the Erasmus Student Network for their valuable contribution on mobilities!
👥 Representing OpenEU were Pastora Martínez Samper, our coordinator, and Pol Boada Martínez, our Internationalisation & Joint Actions Officer. They left Brussels with renewed energy, inspired and equipped with many new ideas and good practices to help strengthen and expand our alliance moving forward.
Key takeaways for the next :
🌍 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆. We’re a systemic movement in the European higher education landscape.
💰 𝗘𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗺𝘂𝘀+ 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹. It will continue to be the main support for alliances, with synergies envisioned with FP10 and the Competitiveness Fund.
🔗 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺. Discussions on a 7-year baseline funding with periodic evaluations are underway.
📢 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆. We must make our results clear, understandable, and accessible to everyone.
A bit over a year ago, we began as an alliance, and since then, we’ve been inspired by long-standing projects that have paved the way. This learning journey has made us stronger and wiser (thank you for that, FOREU4ALL!).
At OpenEU, we are more committed than ever to enhancing the European Higher Education Area ( ). We bring our energy, ideas, and expertise to the table, always keeping at the heart of our work. We won’t leave anyone behind.
We need to work for a higher education system that’s flexible, digital, open to new models, supports lifelong learners and non-traditional students as well, and adapts to every kind of need and balance. The goal is for higher education to be a success for anyone who wants to be part of it.
