24.07.2025 FOREU4ALL welcomes commitment to alliances in proposal for next EU long-term budget

Last week, the European Commission presented its proposal for the next EU budget (2028-2034), the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The FOREU4ALL Community of Practice, of which EUPeace is part, welcomes this ambitious proposal of the European Commission, which foresees substantial investments in education, research and innovation. We are particularly delighted to see prominent references to European Universities Alliances (EUAs) in the draft regulations, as an initiative underpinning three key EU funding programmes: Erasmus+, Horizon Europe (FP10) and the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF):

“The [Erasmus+] Programme should support the core education mission of the European Universities Alliances to enable systemic impact achieved more efficiently through long-term Union level action, notably to reinforce excellence, reduce fragmentation and increase the attractiveness and inclusiveness of EU higher education systems, develop innovative instruments to increase quality of learning and teaching, develop future oriented skills and competences (such as AI, cybersecurity, sustainability, STEM), including the sectors already identified in the Union of Skills, through relevant and future-proof curricula, pedagogical innovation, joint degrees, lifelong learning, micro-credentials, to nurture and attract talent and facilitate transnational cooperation in education, including with business and industry.”

“The [Horizon Europe] Programme should reinforce links between universities and innovation ecosystems, including the private sector. It should enable the completion of the European Research Area, including via development of European higher education sector capacity to compete with global counterparts through collaboration, nurturing and attracting talent and leveraging more private investments, including through higher education initiatives like European Universities Alliances, in synergy with Erasmus+, and in line with the objectives and activities of this Regulation.”

“The ECF should support skills intelligence, upskilling and reskilling, and foster public-private partnerships between universities, VET providers, businesses, in particular SMEs, social partners and applied research institutes. The ECF could also support activities of University Alliances, also in cooperation with employers, to improve their delivery on innovation and the development of skills and talent.”

These clear references enable EUAs to solidify their place as role models for the transformation of the wider higher education sector. They furthermore represent a critical first step to a long-term, holistic, sustainable and predictable investment pathway for European Universities Alliances.

Over the months ahead, this proposal will be negotiated with the European Parliament and the EU Member States, before final adoption and then implementation starting in January 2028. As a community of practice, we are committed to pro-actively contributing to a dialogue around the future role of EUAs in the European Education and Research Areas in open collaboration with policymakers and stakeholders alike.

Further information

• European Commission’s press release: An ambitious budget for a stronger Europe: 2028-2034*
• Proposed regulation for Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and ECF.

Original article at https://www.foreu4all.eu/news-and-events/foreu4all-welcomes-commitment-to-alliances-in-proposal-for-next-eu-long-term-budget