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Dear PIONEER community,
looking back at the PIONEER Governance Week in Helsinki, hosted by Laurea, one thing stands out: the energy and ambition across our alliance. It was a wonderful week. Well-organised, inspiring, and a reminder of why we are doing this together. We are ten institutions. With different histories, cultures, education systems and ways of working. That can be complicated. But it is also our strength. We do not have to be the same to move forward together. But, we have to remain curious, listen, and try to understand before we judge.
And there is a reason why this matters. Climate change, digitalisation, social inequality, the future of our cities, and democratic values affect us all. No single institution, country or discipline can address them alone. Nor can we take peace and tolerance for granted.
As educational institutions, we also have a special responsibility. We help (young) people become not only capable professionals or grow in their profession, but engaged citizens who can work across borders, value different perspectives, and take shared responsibility for the future.
Strategies and structures matter. But ultimately, it is people who make collaboration work. People who trust each other. And that is exactly the spirit of PIONEER.
Marjan Hammersma President of the Executive Board Avans University of Applied Science |
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PIONEER COIL – Teach with colleagues across Europe online |
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Meet your PIONEER colleagues in person and plan a joint COIL course! Travel funding is available for up to three working days at TH Köln. Faculty members from TH Köln may also use the funding to visit any PIONEER partner university. Faculty members from the PIONEER partner universities and TH Köln are invited to apply.
Apply here |
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| Applications for the new BFH Master of Resilient Cities and Communities are open |
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Applications are now open for the new Master of Resilient Cities and Communities, developed by BFH within the PIONEER Alliance and launching in autumn 2027. Students will work in international and interdisciplinary teams to address real-world challenges with urban stakeholders. Join an online information event to learn more.
Apply here |
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Explore the EU-funded R&I calls |
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The Pioneer Alliance promotes and supports joint research actions and the creation of consortia among PIONEER partners to advance your research on sustainable cities and communities.
Explore open EU-funded R&I calls here
Please note that this is not a complete list of open funding opportunities but a selection that your PIONEER team suggests for collaboration.
After finding your call or project idea, you can indicate your interest through this form.
Based on your responses, PIONEER will organise targeted networking and info session to help shape strong collaborative processes!
For more information, please contact your institutional PIONEER Office or WP5 delegate. |
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| Making PIONEER mobility more accessible to all |
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What makes students choose international mobility — and what holds them back? PIONEER’s latest analysis maps the key barriers and opportunities across its 10 partner universities, drawing on mobility data, stakeholder interviews and a SWOT analysis. The findings highlight priorities for stronger cooperation, more accessible academic opportunities and flexible mobility formats, including blended and virtual experiences.
Read more |
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| Iscte PIONEER Festival: turning urban challenges into opportunities |
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How can universities help shape better cities? The Iscte PIONEER Festival brought together more than 100 participants to explore solutions to urban challenges, from healthcare and housing to sustainability and digital transformation. Four thematic panels focused on challenge-based education, impact-driven research, international mobility and academic entrepreneurship, opening new perspectives for collaboration between universities and local communities.
Read more |
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| International collaboration on transdisciplinary competencies |
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The PIONEER pilot ‘Competence Development for Transdisciplinary Education’ brings together Avans University of Applies Sciences, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences and Laurea University of Applied Sciences to explore which competencies students need for effective transdisciplinary collaboration. The partners exchange knowledge and experiences and translate these into a joint Blended Intensive Programme for students. The outcomes will be compiled in a publication offering practical guidance for the further development of transdisciplinary education.
Read more |
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| Urban heat islands – how can we cool our cities? |
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How can cities tackle rising temperatures and protect residents from heatwaves? At a PIONEER workshop on 5 October 2026, experts from five countries shared practical solutions, from climate risk mapping and climate shelters to community-led urban greening. The message was clear: tackling urban heat takes more than green spaces – it requires evidence-based planning, local action and solutions that protect those most at risk.
Read more |
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| PIONEER strategically leverages Open Science |
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Inter-university research projects on urban planning, mobility and energy are at the heart of the PIONEER Alliance, bringing together researchers, local authorities and businesses. By promoting free access to research results, data, methods and educational resources, Open Science enhances the reach and impact of PIONEER’s activities. Researchers at BFH have examined the extent to which Open Science practices are embedded across the Alliance, and the initial findings are highly encouraging.
Read more |
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| UHU and TH Köln explore participatory living labs |
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On 26 September, students, lecturers and researchers from the University of Huelva and TH Köln took part in an interdisciplinary living lab focused on environmental challenges in the Tinto, Odiel and Piedras river basins. Participants also tested TH Köln’s Digital Participatory Planning Table (DPPT), exploring new approaches to collaborative problem-solving. The exchange strengthens cooperation between PIONEER partners and helps prepare for upcoming living labs at UHU. |
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| 28 early career researchers explore transdisciplinary research at PIONEER Training School |
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From 28 September to 2 October, Avans University of Applied Sciences and Iscte hosted the PIONEER ECR Training School 2026 in 's-Hertogenbosch within WP5. The five-day programme brought together 28 early career researchers from across the alliance to explore transdisciplinary research through a shared case study on the redevelopment of the Tramkade area, opening new perspectives for joint SDG 11 research.
The Training School will be back next year – stay tuned on our Early Career Researchers page for the next edition and other opportunities. |
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| IUAV launches its first two PIONEER-branded Blended Intensive Programmes |
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Università Iuav di Venezia has successfully launched its first two PIONEER-branded Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs), bringing together students from partner universities in Venice and Vicenza. The programmes explored socio-ecological transitions in lagoon environments and social design, involving students from IUAV, Université Gustave Eiffel, ISCTE and Universidad de Sevilla. Both initiatives mark an important step in developing collaborative learning and mobility opportunities across the alliance.
Interested lecturers and researchers can explore opportunities to develop future BIPs with IUAV by contacting pioneer@iuav.it. |
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| PIONEER at EAIE 2026: sharing lessons in alliance communication |
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What does it take to make a European university alliance visible and recognisable? At EAIE 2026 in Glasgow, PIONEER shared its communication experience with international higher education professionals. A poster presented by colleagues from UNIZA and TBU explored the challenges of building a shared identity and engaging audiences across ten institutions. The session also sparked exchanges with other European University Alliances facing similar communication challenges.
Read the full article |
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| PIONEER Hackathon 2027: the journey begins |
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The 2027 PIONEER Hackathon officially kicked off in September with the launch of student registrations. The event will take place from 19 to 23 March 2027 at Université Gustave Eiffel, in the heart of Paris. The countdown to March has begun!
Read more |
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PIONEER events: from climate resilience to citizen participation |
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Register now for Laurea’s University-Business Collaboration Seminar on 7–9 September 2027. The international seminar brings together higher education and industry professionals to explore how students can be empowered for the future of work. Discover Laurea’s award-winning Learning by Developing (LbD) approach and discover how long-term university–business collaboration can strengthen employability, innovation, and real-world learning.
Read more and register on the event page |
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| International Welcome Week |
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Université Gustave Eiffel organised a week dedicated to welcoming international students, helping them settle into university life, meet other students and build connections. Through social activities and opportunities to explore their new environment, the initiative encourages students to feel part of the university community from the very beginning of their stay.
Read more |
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| Human-centered leadership for sustainable cities |
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| How can people-centred leadership help shape more sustainable cities? At a PIONEER programme in Breda, staff and professionals explored inclusive leadership, stakeholder engagement and collaborative approaches to urban challenges. Organised by Avans, LAUREA and TH Köln within WP3, the programme ran from 28 September to 2 October.
Read more |
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| Iscte makes PIONEER Alliance a priority in its new internationalisation strategy |
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| More opportunities to collaborate, learn and connect across Europe? Iscte’s new Internationalisation Strategy for 2026–2030 puts PIONEER at the heart of its plans for the coming years. The university aims to involve more students, researchers, academic schools and professional staff in the Alliance — turning European cooperation into a more visible part of university life. |
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| PIONEER Governance Week: turning shared ambitions into action |
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| Against the backdrop of a Finnish autumn that shifted from brilliant sunshine to gentle rain, Governance Week brought together over 70 Alliance leaders and key representatives from all PIONEER Alliance institutions at Laurea Espoo Campus. Alongside an intensive programme of strategic discussions, guests enjoyed a memorable dinner in beautiful seaside surroundings. The week also highlighted the importance of regional engagement, as Alliance Governing Board members met with the leadership of the City of Espoo over lunch to strengthen city-university cooperation and to explore opportunities for future collaboration.
Read more |
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| Early career researchers: hands-on projects and international exchange |
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| 28 researchers from nine partner universities took part in the PIONEER Early Career Researchers Training School in ’s-Hertogenbosch. Among them were Lisa Reissner and Munam Farooqui from the :metabolon Institute TH Köln. In this interview, the two research associates share their experiences from the hands-on work on an urban development project and the enriching international exchange.
Read more |
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| UHU promotes multilingualism and intercultural exchange |
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| On 25 September, the University of Huelva celebrated the European Day of Languages, highlighting its multilingual campus, where more than 30 languages are spoken. The event showcased two initiatives supporting internationalisation at home: a Network of Intercultural Spaces fostering dialogue and integration, and COIL virtual exchanges connecting students across countries. |
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| IUAV welcomes its new international community |
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| From 21 to 25 September, Università Iuav di Venezia welcomed its new international students during Welcome Day and Onboarding & Planning Week. The programme brought together students from English-taught Master's and double-degree programmes, as well as Erasmus+ mobility participants, for academic orientation, open lectures and networking. Visits to the Archivio Progetti and Cartoteca offered an introduction to IUAV’s academic heritage and the cultural richness of Venice.
Read more |
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| UTB: from measurable sustainability progress to global alumni connections |
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| Tomas Bata University is turning its sustainability commitments into measurable results. The newly published 2025 Sustainability Report highlights key achievements and measurable progress across education, research, operations, and social responsibility. UTB also hosted its first International Alumni Meetup, welcoming former students from nearly twenty countries back to Zlín. |
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| UNIZA student brings AI closer to better breast cancer diagnostics |
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| Can artificial intelligence help doctors identify tiny changes in mammograms? Linda Blahová, a student at the University of Žilina’s Faculty of Management Science and Informatics, received the IT Student of the Year 2026 award for her research into AI-assisted mammogram analysis and the diagnosis of microcalcifications. Her achievement highlights how young researchers can connect technology with real healthcare needs and explore solutions with the potential to support medical practice. |
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| BFH launches a new Master of Science in Resilient Cities and Communities |
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| Developed within the PIONEER Alliance and aligned with SDG 11, this new Master’s programme combines expertise from across all BFH schools. Students collaborate with international peers and European cities through joint modules, projects and summer schools, preparing them to become urban change agents. Students will be able to benefit from semester-long exchange opportunities and double degree options within the Alliance.
Read more |
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Know someone who would enjoy staying updated on PIONEER’s activities? Share this link > Subscribe to the newsletter.
Warm regards, The PIONEER Alliance Team
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For further information, please, refer to the project website and social media. |
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Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
This project is co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme Grant Agreement n°101177236. |
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