Representatives of all 50 European universities alliances meet in Barcelona – Newsroom – CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance [Skip to content](#main) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-02-Dh7f4uYd.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-07-COrlhHVd.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-08-Bbt_UM7-.svg) [ ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg)](https://civis.eu/en) - [ Discover ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance) - [ What is CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Our work ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Mission, Vision & Values ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/mission-vision-values) - [ Governance & Management ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Who's Who ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) [ Resources ](https://civis.eu/en/resources) - [ Learn ](https://civis.eu/en/learn) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Flexible Learning ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/build-your-learning-path-flexible-offer) - [ Master’s Programmes ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Study abroad ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) [ One year of TRACEE, one step closer to making the world a better place ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/one-year-of-tracee-one-step-closer-to-making-the-world-a-better-place) [ CIVIS Museum University Forum ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/CIVIS-Museum-University-Forum) - [ Teach ](https://civis.eu/en/teach) - [ Calls for Projects ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/civis-calls) - [ Innovate your Teaching ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Resources for Educators ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/resources-for-educators) [ CIVIS Invited to Begin Grant Agreement Preparations for New Erasmus+ Funding Phase ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/civis-invited-to-begin-grant-agreement-preparations-for-new-erasmus-funding-phase) [ Seven Years of CIVIS: From an Ambitious Project to a Thriving Academic Community ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/seven-years-of-civis-from-an-ambitious-project-to-a-thriving-academic-community) - [ Research ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research) - [ Research Collaboration ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/research-collaboration) - [ Careers, Networks & Mobilities ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Resources for Researchers ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/resources-for-researchers) [ CIVIS calls for strengthening Africa-Europe academic mobility through a visa policy for science partnerships ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/civis-calls-for-strengthening-africa-europe-academic-mobility-through-a-visa-policy-for-science-partnerships) [ CIVIS3i: Five Years Advancing Research Excellence Across CIVIS Alliance ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/civis3i-five-years-advancing-research-excellence-across-civis-alliance) - [ Connect ](https://civis.eu/en/connect) - [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/newsletters) - [ CIVIS Days ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/civis-days) - [ Civil Society ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Contact us ](https://civis.eu/en/contact) - [ Press Corner & Branding ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [ CIVIS Student Ambassadors Take Centre Stage in Newsroom Pilot ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/civis-student-ambassadors-take-the-lead-inside-the-newsroom-pilot-project) [ Building an Alliance That Works: Five Lessons from the CIVIS Units ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/building-an-alliance-that-works-five-lessons-from-the-civis-units) [ Our stories ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) en - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) - [ el ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) Menu - [Discover](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-29) - [ What is CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Our work ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Mission, Vision & Values ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/mission-vision-values) - [ Governance & Management ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Who's Who ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) - [Learn](https://civis.eu/en/learn) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-30) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Flexible Learning ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/build-your-learning-path-flexible-offer) - [ Master’s Programmes ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Study abroad ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) - [Teach](https://civis.eu/en/teach) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-31) - [ Calls for Projects ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/civis-calls) - [ Innovate your Teaching ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Resources for Educators ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/resources-for-educators) - [Research](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-32) - [ Research Collaboration ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/research-collaboration) - [ Careers, Networks & Mobilities ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Resources for Researchers ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/resources-for-researchers) - [Connect](https://civis.eu/en/connect) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-33) - [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/newsletters) - [ CIVIS Days ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/civis-days) - [ Civil Society ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Contact us ](https://civis.eu/en/contact) - [ Press Corner & Branding ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [ Our stories ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) en - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) - [ el ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/representatives-of-all-50-european-universities-alliances-meet-at-a-forum-convened-under-the-spanish-presidency-of-the-european-council) 1. [The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) 2. Representatives of all 50 European universities alliances meet in Barcelona Representatives of all 50 European universities alliances meet in Barcelona =========================================================================== 25 September 2023 The European Universities Initiative started as an experiment encouraging alliances of universities to be established for deep, long-term collaboration. The vibrancy and the transformative potential of such consortia became immediately apparent, and the pilot stage was followed by the current phase of consolidation. In the words of **Margaritis Schinas**, Vice-President of the European Commission, while opening the Forum, the European Universities Initiative is not just another project, it’s a process of profound transformation of higher education. ![](/storage/files/forum-eui-barcelona-14-09-2023-02.jpg) *photo: François Heinderyckx* The **Second Forum of European Universities Alliances**, hosted mid-September in Barcelona by the Spanish Presidency of the European Union Council, gathered an impressive number of representatives of all the 50 alliances currently co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, along with delegates from the European Commission and the member states. The two-day forum opened-up a space for dialogue and exchange of ideas around the most pressing issues currently affecting European alliances. **High-ranking officials** from ministries and the European Commission were remarkably emphatic in their support of university alliances and the role they play in spearheading the most advanced forms of higher-education institutions across all their missions. Pledges were also made for substantial and sustainable sources of funding and other forms for support. Members of the **CIVIS delegation** were invited to actively contribute. During a session on “*European Degree label: main* *objectives and added value of pilot projects*”, **Nadia Fernández de Pinedo** (UAM) talked about some of the preliminary results of the SMARTT project. Later, **François Heinderyckx** (ULB) shared CIVIS’s experience in developing strategic partnerships with African universities in a session on *“The external dimension of European partnerships: collaboration with Higher Education Institutions in third countries”.* ![](/storage/files/whatsapp-image-2023-09-16-at-075151.jpeg) *photo: Nadia Fernández de Pinedo* Overall, the Forum offered a rare opportunity of **intense exchange of experience** among alliances, and between alliances and officials from various authorities. “*It was also a moment of reckoning: the creativity and determination we mobilise in building up these alliances set us on the leading edge of a major systemic transformation of higher education*”, concluded François Heinderyckx (ULB). ![](/storage/files/forum-eui-barcelona-14-09-2023-12.jpg) *photo: Ignacio Rodriguez Álvarez* Since it was first launched, in 2017, the European Universities Initiative has prompted **50 alliances**, bringing together over 430 higher education institutions from 35 different countries, and a total of 1700 associate partners. It is on track to achieve the goal set by the Commission of involving 10% of all European higher-education institutions (about 500) among 60 alliances by 2024. CIVIS was selected by the European Commission as one of the first 17 pilot European Universities in 2019. Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex-cover-800x600.jpg?token=f8195e1c4eac3961e83a95323ebfce97)Alexandru Carțiș: Higher education needs to broaden its understanding of how it contributes to society People 9 November 2026 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/alexandru-car-i-higher-education-needs-to-broaden-its-understanding-of-how-it-contributes-to-society) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/uam-campus-800x600.jpg?token=eb757b65c52055647b30e6add58fd344)The UAM will build a pioneering residence for students and young researchers CIVIS Highlights 5 November 2026 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/the-uam-will-build-a-pioneering-residence-for-students-and-young-researchers) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/staff-website-horizontal-photos-3-800x600.jpg?token=40fe6265666a2e028e636042c1f026f1)Democracy in Action: CIVIS opens new opportunities for university–society collaborations Connect 2 November 2026 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/democracy-in-action-civis-opens-new-opportunities-for-universities-society-collaborations) [ Discover all our stories ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) [ “What does being invisible in the city mean”? The main question at the HUB4 Conference, Making visible the invisibles ](%20https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/what-does-being-invisible-in-the-city-mean-the-main-question-at-the-hub4-conference-making-visible-the-invisibles%20) [ CIVIS asks for a revision of eligibility criteria of Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) to attract talented students from around the world ](%20https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/civis-contribution-to-the-the-creation-of-high-quality-transnational-teaching-programmes-capable-of-attracting-talents-beyond-the-eu-borders%20) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither can be held responsible for them. ### People - [ Students ](https://civis.eu/en/i-am-a-student) - [ Academics & researchers ](https://civis.eu/en/i-am-an-academic-researcher) - [ Administrators ](https://civis.eu/en/i-am-an-administrator) - [ Civil society ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Press corner & Branding ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) ### Useful links - [ Resources ](https://civis.eu/en/resources) - [ CIVIS Agora ](https://civis.eu/en/civis-agora-the-operational-hub-of-the-civis-digital-campus) - [ European Universities initiative ](https://civis.eu/en/european-universities-initiative) - [ Past Events ](https://civis.eu/en/past-events) - [ Contact ](https://civis.eu/en/contact) [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/newsletters) ### Social networks - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/instagram.svg) Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/civis.eu/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/linkedin.svg) LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/civis-eu) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/facebook.svg) Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/CIVISEuropeanUniversity/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/youtube.svg) YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdCm0FfreX81BuNH-znlRGQ) © 2026 – CIVIS – All rights reserved - [ Cookie Policy ](https://civis.eu/en/cookie-policy) - [ Privacy policy ](https://civis.eu/en/privacy-policy) Website by [Typi Design](https://typi.be) • Design by [Atelier Milky](https://ateliermilky.com) [ ](#top) Search