As part of the ChallengeEU Alliance’s continuous commitment to sustained transnational cooperation and impact-oriented governance, Hochschule Offenburg participated in a high-level Alliance Coordination Meeting in Brussels, represented by Vice Rector for Internationalisation and Managing Director, Prof. Dr. Tobias Hagen.
Joined by other European University Alliances, the meeting outlined an array of strategic objectives set by Erasmus+ partners, with particular attention given to the long-term financial and structural roadmap for the alliances under the future Erasmus+ programming period. The programme emphasis was placed on the role of alliances within strategic sectors for European competitiveness, as well as their contribution to strengthening and completing the European Research Area.
ChallengeEU was actively involved in the University Alliances Coordinators’ “Working Retreat” in Brussels on 14 April 2026, organised by the European Commission. Prof. Dr. Tobias Hagen participated alongside coordinators from all University Alliances and high-level representatives of the European Commission and Erasmus+ national agencies. Discussions centred on the future of University Alliances, including a shift towards long-term funding models rather than project-based funding as an integral part of Erasmus+ in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the role of alliances as a model for the European higher education system, and their contribution to the Union of Skills and Europe’s competitiveness.
Further exchanges shed light on the optimisation of reporting and review processes to enhance overall efficiency and measurable impact, reinforcing the importance of streamlined governance and performance monitoring across alliances. The meeting concluded with a plenary session reflecting on the consolidation of alliance structures, contributing to a more resilient and integrated European research and education landscape.
Discussions between the Commission and Alliance representatives will continue at a rectors’ meeting on 10 June.
Prof. Dr. Tobias Hagen further stated: “The Commission clearly recognises the importance of alliances and acknowledges the drawbacks of the current four- or two-year funding periods. We also had excellent networking opportunities with other alliances. All in all, it was a day full of information and opportunities to actively contribute to the future of European University Alliances.”
