News and Events
European Universities Alliances Take Center Stage at Wroclaw Forum
June 2025
Representatives of FOREU4ALL joined the vibrant ecosystem of European Universities alliances at the Forum of European Universities Alliances, held June 12–13 at the University of Wroclaw under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Designed as a dynamic platform for dialogue and collaboration, the forum brought together academic and administrative leaders, national agencies, policymakers, and public officials to discuss the future of European higher education under the central theme: The University of the Future.
The Forum’s agenda included plenary discussions with leading voices in education, science, and innovation; networking opportunities; and dialogues on funding sustainability and the transformative role of alliances.
Beatrix Busse, Coordinator of EUniWell and Chair of FOREU4ALL (2025), and Emily Helmeid, Secretary-General of EUGLOH and Vice-Chair of FOREU4ALL (2025), represented the Community of Practice in two high-level sessions:
- Session 1: The impact of European Universities alliances and best practices in tackling shared challenges (Session 1)
- Session 6: EUI as Role Model for Systemic Transformation (Session 6)
Both contributions reflected the full diversity, dynamism, and shared purpose that define alliances across all sizes, stages, and geographies. Among other details, they discussed the most important achievements of selected alliances, particularly in terms of tackling shared challenges, and also examples of how alliances are currently serving as role model for systemic transformation in higher education.
Key takeaways: from survival to sustainable impact
Participants pointed out that many alliances remain in a “subsistence mode”, operating with limited means. The real challenge in this context is transitioning from survival to achieving a long-term, sustainable impact. As Emily Helmeid put it during the closing session: “There is no magic. Our ‘elves’ are the ecosystem of actors (students, academics, staff, national agencies, ministries, and European bodies) working together in a shared atelier setting. That’s where transformation will happen”.
Ambition for alliances remains high, but attendees claimed that sustaining momentum demands greater support, flexibility, and partnerships. The goal includes joint programmes, collaborative research, and social impact. To make this vision a reality, coordinated efforts across the entire European education and innovation ecosystem are essential.
Regarding their financial reality, alliances are pragmatic: they do not expect unlimited resources but call for greater flexibility in how existing funds can be used, especially to engage external partners more effectively. Similarly, on impact, participants agreed that every innovation, from co-tutelle frameworks to innovations around the European Degree, lays the groundwork for the wider academic community.
One key takeaway was the need to shift prevailing narratives. The May 5 Choose Europe event emphasized that industry, too, operates on long timelines. The crucial difference is agility in governance. In this sense, alliances are demanding the strategic space to match ambition with long-term vision.
The Forum’s greatest achievement was reinforcing a community of trust across alliances. Through initiatives like FOREU4ALL, alliances are openly sharing challenges, insights, and successes. Their added value lies not in duplicating existing educational structures but in enhancing them, layering transversal, intercultural, and international competencies for students across the higher education sector.