The European Reform University Alliance and the European University Viadrina (ERUA)

The European Reform University Alliance and the Viadrina

ERUA at the Viadrina

Since November 2023, the European University Viadrina has been a member of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), a network of eight universities stretching from the Canary Islands via France, Italy and Poland to Lithuania, Bulgaria and Greece. The Viadrina is thus being funded as a "European University" and will receive 2.25 million euros out of a total of 12.8 million euros for a period of four years, with which the European Commission is funding the entire ERUA network. The aim of the European Reform University Alliance is to innovatively shape the future of universities in Europe and to rethink teaching and learning as well as research and social commitment from a critical, European and inclusive perspective.

European universities

With the European Universities Programme, the European Commission is promoting the networking of universities across Europe. As cross-border university networks, they are intended to strengthen the higher education area by pooling the strengths and diversity of research and teaching at universities in Europe.

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ERUA brings together a magnificent group of unique universities across Europe which, through close communication and cooperation, will sharpen their profile, improve their quality and increase their impact on their home societies as on Europe as a whole. As Co-Chair, I look forward to contributing to the ERUA community’s efforts to meet this challenge successfully.

Prof Dr Eduard Mühle, President of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)

News and dates

02. November 2026

ERUAiDeaThon2026

From idea to impact: the online ERUA iDeaThon 2026 invites participants to develop social entrepreneurship ideas that respond to real societal needs. The info session on 2 November at 16:00 CET is open to everyone – students, administrative, research and teaching staff and external stakeholders. Winning teams receive up to €5,000 in project expenses, trips to the ERUA Bootcamp 2027 in Las Palmas and the ERUA Hackathon 2027 in Lesvos, and mentoring. Applications close on 24 November 2026. Find all details in the call for applications or reach out to erua-challenge2impact@aegean.gr.

15. October 2026

Re-thinking Student Engagement: Workshop Series Across Three Alliances

Student engagement – real or performative? From 27 October to 12 November 2026, colleagues from three alliances – ERUA, Una Europa and ECIU University – invite you to a three-part online workshop series on roles, relationships and concrete steps towards a more human-centred university community. Sessions run 2:30–4:00 p.m. CET, in English. Designed for staff working on student engagement; interested students are welcome too. Sign up for one, two or all three sessions.

27. October 2026

Call for Innovative Teaching Initiatives

Teaching across borders: in round five of the Call for Innovative Teaching Initiatives, ERUA funds joint formats developed by teaching staff at the eight partner universities – travelling seminars, online semester courses, summer and winter schools and intensive courses worth at least 3 ECTS. Project-based, student-centred approaches are encouraged; participants receive an ERUA certificate. For deadlines and budgets please reach out to Leon Weber, erua@europa-uni.de.

25. September 2026

ERUA English Language Café: Speak English, Meet Colleagues

Let's meet, chat and connect: the ERUA English Language Café is back! Until December, it invites you to relaxed online conversations in English on Thursdays, 11:30–12:30 CET – no lectures, no tests, no pressure. Dates: 29 October, 26 November and 17 December, each with its own theme. Designed mainly for non-academic staff, but the whole ERUA community is warmly welcome. Participants are kindly asked to register via the online form.