References on EUA

This document sets out the European Commission’s proposal for a Council Recommendation aimed at strengthening and simplifying cross‑border cooperation between higher education institutions. It is closely linked to the development of the European University Alliances, offering concrete measures to remove legal and administrative barriers that hinder transnational partnerships.

Key focus areas include:

• establishing common frameworks for joint and double degrees as well as inter‑European campuses,
• ensuring mutual recognition of qualifications and study periods,
• creating an enabling environment for shared legal structures among universities from different Member States.

This proposal lays the groundwork for deeper, more ambitious collaboration within the European Higher Education Area, with the European University Alliances as a flagship initiative.

Reference: European Commission. (2022). Proposal for a Council Recommendation on building bridges for effective European higher education cooperation (COM(2022) 16 final). Brussels: European Commission. Accesible at: https://education.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-01/proposal-council-recommendation-bridges-european-higher-education-cooperation.pdf.

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This communication outlines the European Commission’s European Strategy for Universities, setting a long‑term vision for how universities can help shape Europe’s future. It situates universities at the heart of Europe’s recovery, resilience, and global leadership, highlighting their role in advancing green and digital transitions while fostering democratic values and inclusion.

Key focus areas include:

• Strengthening universities as lighthouses of European values and identity,
• Empowering universities to drive excellence in education, research, and innovation,
• Supporting universities to become engines of Europe’s green and digital transitions,
• Enhancing universities’ global dimension and international partnerships.

This strategy provides the overarching policy framework in which European University Alliances are a key flagship initiative, encouraging deeper transnational cooperation and integrated academic missions.


Reference: European Commission. (2022). Communication on a European strategy for universities (COM(2022) 16 final – graphic version). Brussels: European Commission. Accessible at: https://education.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-01/communication-european-strategy-for-universities-graphic-version.pdf


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This official communication from the European Commission presents the European Strategy for Universities, a comprehensive roadmap to empower European higher education to meet future challenges. It underscores the central role of universities in building a stronger, more united, and innovative Europe, aligned with the EU’s values and strategic objectives.

Key focus areas include:

• Reinforcing universities as beacons of European values, diversity, and inclusion,
• Enabling universities to deliver excellence in education, research, and innovation,
• Supporting universities as drivers of the green and digital transitions,
• Boosting universities’ global engagement and international cooperation.

This strategy sets the policy context in which European University Alliances are developed as a flagship instrument for deeper transnational collaboration and integrated missions across Europe.

Reference: European Commission. (2022). Communication on a European strategy for universities (COM(2022) 16 final). Brussels: European Commission. Accessible at: https://education.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-01/communication-european-strategy-for-universities.pdf


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This staff working document accompanies the European Commission’s higher education package, providing detailed analysis and background to support the European Strategy for Universities and the proposal for a Council Recommendation on cooperation in higher education. It offers data, context, and evidence to explain why stronger and more integrated European higher education is needed.

Key focus areas include:

• Mapping current challenges and trends in the European Higher Education Area,
• Highlighting barriers to transnational cooperation between institutions,
• Presenting evidence and examples that underpin the policy proposals in the strategy,
• Exploring how initiatives like the European University Alliances can address systemic issues.

This document serves as an in‑depth reference for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders looking to understand the reasoning and data behind the EU’s actions to foster cooperation and innovation in higher education.

Reference: European Commission. (2022). Commission Staff Working Document: Accompanying the Higher Education Package (SWD(2022) 6 final). Brussels: European Commission. Accessible at: https://education.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-01/accompanying-staff-working-document-higher-education-package.pdf

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