News and Events
Coimbra Group Annual Conference Highlights the Role of European University Alliances in Advancing Research, Innovation and Territorial Transformation
July 6, 2026
Over four dynamic days in Granada, the 41st Coimbra Group Annual Conference and General Assembly recently brought together nearly 350 members of the Coimbra Group community from across Europe for a rich programme of discussions, strategic exchanges and community-building activities.
Throughout the conference, which took place from June 16 to June 19, participants from 42 European universities reflected on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of higher education, research and society, reaffirming the collective commitment of the network to strengthening the European Higher Education and Research Area.
Among the key sessions of the programme was Session IV: Best Practices from European University Alliances: Research & Innovation for Territorial Transformation, which focused on the growing role of European University alliances in driving innovation and creating positive impact beyond university campuses. Coimbra Group Universities have fully embraced the European Universities Initiative, as they have founded and currently form part of eight alliances and one alliance with the Seal of Excellence.
The session brought together representatives from several alliances to share experiences and showcase successful initiatives that connect research and innovation with regional development and societal needs. The roundtable featured input by Dorothy Kelly, Professor at the University of Granada and coordinator of the Arqus Alliance; Coco Norén, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University representing the ENLIGHT alliance; Joan Guàrdia, Rector of the University of Barcelona, representing CHARM-EU; Ludovic Thilly, Vice-Rector in charge of European Strategy and EC2U at the University of Poitiers; Graham Harrison, Professor at the University of Cologne and Managing Director of the EUniWell alliance; and Pavel Kozák, Member of the Rector's Office at Charles University Prague, representing the 4EU+ alliance.
A defining moment of the week was the signing of the Poitiers–Granada Declaration, which reaffirmed the Coimbra Group's shared vision for the future of European higher education and research. Building on the original Poitiers Declaration adopted in 2016, the renewed framework reflects a decade of experience and expands the scope of University-City cooperation to address key challenges such as sustainability, democratic engagement, inclusion, digital transformation, innovation and territorial development.
Read more on the official website of the Coimbra Group.