New Finnish Higher Education Institutions Join Erasmus+ European Universities Alliances

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The European Commission has announced the results of the 2024 Erasmus+ European Universities call for proposals. Four Finnish higher education institutions are included in the selected 14 alliances.

Photo: European Universties, European commission

In the 2024 call, the new Finnish higher education institutions that received funding are Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, and Åland University of Applied Sciences, each as part of their respective alliances.

The 2024 call for proposals ended on February 6, 2024. A total of €189.2 million was distributed, with support granted to 14 new alliances. The maximum funding for a single alliance is €14.4 million for four years.

With the results of the 2024 call, the number of European University alliances rises to 64. These alliances collectively represent 560 higher education institutions from 35 countries. The initiative includes institutions from EU member states, Iceland, Norway, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey.

Broad Participation of Finnish Higher Education Institutions in Alliances

The first calls for the European Universities initiative were organized in 2019 and 2020. During the current Erasmus+ program period 2021-2027, three European Universities calls have been held so far. Altogether, 23 Finnish higher education institutions are currently involved in funded European Universities alliances. This includes 12 of Finland's 13 universities and 11 of Finland's 24 universities of applied sciences.

The activities of the European Universities alliances are well included into the operations of Finnish higher education institutions. "Finnish higher education institutions are sought-after partners in the development of higher education in Europe. Europe urgently needs knowledge, skills, and professionals - we look forward to the results of the alliance work and the opportunities to utilize them sustainably for the benefit of Finland and all of Europe," commented Jonna Korhonen, Director at the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Funding for New Alliances and the Creation of a Community of Practice

In addition to the new European University alliances, the 2024 call also funded one 'Community of Practice' project, aiming to create a collaboration and support network for European University alliances and to strengthen cooperation between the alliances and the entire higher education sector.

The funded 'Community of Practice' project includes Metropolia University of Applied Sciences from Finland as a full partner and U!REKA SHIFT alliance Metropolia coordinates. The project brings together all funded European Universities alliances.

New European Universities alliances with Finnish HEI's:

EUNICoast: The European University of Islands, Ports and Coastal Territories, Åland University of Applied Sciences
HEROES: Higher Education for ResilienceOriented and Empowered Societies, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences
PIONEER: The European University for Future Cities, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
UNINOVIS: UNINOVIS DATA FOR L.I.F.E., Tampere University of Applied Sciences

Community of Practice –project:

FOR-EU4ALL: FORum of European Universities for All, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Funding for Continuing Alliances in the Coming Years

There will be no call for proposals for the European Universities initiative in 2025. During the Erasmus+ program period that is ending in 2027, the future funding will focus on supporting the operations of already selected European Universities alliances.

The initiative is managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) provides information about the initiative in Finland and advises Finnish applicants on general application questions. Join our EDUFI HigherEd mailing list to receive up-to-date information on calls for proposals.

European Universities Build Innovative and Deep Collaboration Across Borders

The goal of the Erasmus+ European Universities alliances is to build the future of higher education and promote European values and identity.

The institutions in these alliances seek new ways for long-term, sustainable, and systematic collaboration in education, research, and innovation activities. These alliances engage in deep, institution-wide cooperation.

The European Universities initiative is a key part of building the European Education Area by 2025. The European Strategy for Universities aims to have 60 European Universities alliances involving 500 higher education institutions by 2024. The Commission has allocated €1.1 billion for this purpose in the Erasmus+ program for the years 2021-2027.Erasmus+ Eurooppalaiset yliopistot -verkostojen (engl. European Universities) tavoitteena on rakentaa tulevaisuuden korkeakoulutusta sekä edistää eurooppalaisia arvoja ja identiteettiä.