{"id":61925,"date":"2026-02-06T10:30:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T09:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/?p=61925"},"modified":"2026-02-06T13:43:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T12:43:11","slug":"national-support-for-european-universities-must-be-strengthened-new-aca-study-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/it\/national-support-for-european-universities-must-be-strengthened-new-aca-study-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"National support for European Universities must be strengthened, new ACA study finds"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n

Alliances such as EUNICE aim to drive systemic transformation across European higher education<\/h3>\n

Brussels – 6 February 2026.<\/strong> A new report published by the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA) reveals that national-level support for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) participating in the European Universities Initiative (EUI) remains fragmented and insufficient, despite the initiative\u2019s strong potential to drive systemic transformation across European higher education.<\/p>\n

The report, \u201cNational-level support for participation in European Universities Alliances: Insights from Higher Education Institutions and National Agencies<\/a>\u201d, examines how national ministries and Erasmus+ National Agencies currently support universities engaged in European University alliances, as well as how this support could be reinforced in the coming years.<\/p>\n

Unevenly Embedded<\/strong>
\nAccording to the study, the European Universities Initiative has increasingly found its way into national and institutional strategies over the past six years. However, references remain inconsistent across countries and policy documents, and many institutions highlight the need for clearer long-term commitment from the EU regarding funding, scope, and sustainability beyond the next Erasmus+ programme period (2028\u20132034).<\/p>\n

Most institutions surveyed perceive ministries of higher education as the main providers of financial support, primarily through dedicated co-funding schemes<\/strong> for institutions already involved in alliances. In parallel, nine out of ten Erasmus+ National Agencies are already offering support, often without a formal mandate, through activities such as networking opportunities, information sessions, national platforms, peer learning, and dissemination of good practices.<\/p>\n

National Agencies\u2019 Role<\/strong>
\nThe study highlights a strong potential for National Agencies to take on a more strategic role, building on their expertise, networks, and system-level overview. However, this would require clearer responsibilities, sufficient resources, and improved information flows among European, national, and institutional levels.<\/p>\n

Formal recognition of National Agencies as key actors within the EUI architecture \u2014 both at EU and national levels \u2014 would help reinforce their ability to plan, coordinate and deliver sustained support.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”61944″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”61946″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1770381786098{padding: 2% !important;}” text_direction=”default”]\n

The report was presented ACA\u2019s flagship annual seminar What’s new in Brussels? Recent developments in European policies and programmes<\/strong>.\u00a0 Other topics of dicussion were the European Degree Label, the interoperability of university digital systems and the increasing need\u00a0 of inclusion and diversity measures.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Current initiatives such as SPREAD EUI and Future4All demonstrate the value of coordinated action across countries. Expanding such efforts could enhance policy alignment, reduce disparities among national support systems, and address common regulatory barriers affecting alliance implementation.<\/p>\n

Stronger Evaluation and Sustainable Co-funding<\/strong>
\nThe report also calls for more coordinated monitoring of the EUI\u2019s impact at national level, enabling shared learning across programme countries. Additionally, it stresses that sustainable co\u2011funding mechanisms require close alignment between ministries, National Agencies, and universities.
\nAs European University alliances continue to expand and deepen their collaboration, the study makes clear that national actors have a crucial role to play in creating the enabling environments that these alliances need to flourish.<\/p>\n

About ACA<\/strong>
\nThe Academic Cooperation Association (ACA) is a Brussels-based European platform bringing together national organisations that promote and fund the internationalisation of higher education. It acts as a think tank and a hub for cooperation, offering research, policy analysis, joint activities, and strategic advice for its member agencies across Europe. ACA has worked since 1993 to advance innovation and strengthen international collaboration in higher education systems.<\/p>\n

+ info: <\/strong>National-level support for participation in European Universities Alliances – FOREU4ALL<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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