PIONEER Alliance delegation had a strong presence at this year’s EAIE: European Association for International Education Conference. Our large team engaged in fruitful discussions on deepening cooperation within the Erasmus+ programme, advancing joint study programmes, and exploring new research project opportunities.
More than 35 alliances, representing over 300 higher education institutions, gathered in the 35th Annual EAIE Conference in Gothenburg, from 9–12 September 2025. Across the four days, more than 20 sessions and a special FOREU4ALL event highlighted the European Universities Initiative’s impact on the transformation of higher education in Europe and beyond.
The central question of the 35th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the European Association for International Education (EAIE) was how higher education is transforming Europe and fostering new pathways for global collaboration.
A record number of 35 European Universities alliances – nearly double the participation compared to 2024 – came together at this major international conference. They demonstrated the evolution and impact of the European Universities Initiative, a flagship programme of the European Commission launched in 2019. The initiative now encompasses a total of 65 alliances and 8 Seal of Excellence alliances.
The EAIE 2025 theme, Go-Create, resonated deeply with the mission of the alliances. PIONEER Alliance delegation actively contributed to these discussions and highlighted our commitment to innovation and pioneering work in shaping inclusive and collaborative higher education models across Europe.
European Universities Alliances & FOREU4ALL: Creating Value for the Wider Higher Education Sector
As part of the programme, FOREU4ALL – the Community of Practice bringing together all European Universities alliances – hosted a special joint session with the European Commission on Wednesday, 10 September.
This interactive World Café session targeted institutions not currently involved in the initiative, focusing on how the community’s collective knowledge and tools could benefit the broader higher education sector. Participants discussed practical opportunities around micro-credentials, joint degrees, skills development, and new partnership models.
European Universities Alliances
Launched in 2019, the European Universities alliances are a flagship initiative of the European strategy for universities. It encompasses 65 European Universities alliances with more than 570 higher education institutions of all types, from all across Europe.
Full list of alliances by country
FOREU4ALL
FOREU4ALL provides a collaborative and supportive platform where all 65 alliances come together to share good practices, exchange experiences, and strengthen cooperation. The community fosters a deeper collaboration by facilitating learning, joint initiatives, and the dissemination of results – enhancing knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of the entire higher education sector.
About EAIE
The EAIE Conference is the most important event dedicated to higher education in Europe and the second largest in the world. Its recent venues have been Rotterdam (2023), and Toulouse (2024).
