Two inspiring and stimulating days where coordinators got the opportunity to exchange with representatives of the European Commission and the EACEA on the challenges they have met and the future opportunities for the initiative.

Networking, enriching interactions, and sharing of best practices were also on the programme, over issues as varied and crucial as how to ensure student engagement or how to deploy a culture of quality.

This meeting has made it clear: the overall progress made by the Alliances over their first years of existence is quite impressive. They are definite pioneers of change and are key in shaping the European Higher Education Area. But the road ahead is still paved with several challenges, the major being the long-term sustainable funding, essential to achieve the vision. Discussion over potential financing options, including an integrated call ensuring 7 years of funding, have sparked enthusiasm. Let’s hope it gets the required political backup.

Emilie Lama (EC2U Administrative Coordinator) & Ludovic Thilly (EC2U Coordinator General) were representing the Alliance during this meeting in Brussels.