Ulysseus reshaping Europe’s future through transnational strategic collaboration

When Ulysseus International Advisory Board (IAB) gathered in Brussels at the end of 2025, it became crystal clear that European university alliances have evolved from promising experiments into strategic catalysts driving Europe’s transformation.

The high-level encounter organized by the Ulysseus alliance brought together rectors, former ministers, Members of the European Parliament, and senior advisors to address a critical question on how to ensure that university alliances are recognized as the transformative actors Europe needs (Ulysseus 2025).

From vision to impact

European university alliances are not just about student mobility or joint European degrees. The alliances anchor innovation ecosystems in our regions, developing talent pipelines that fuel Europe’s competitiveness, and building bridges between academia, industry, and society. Ulysseus exemplifies this evolution, connecting higher education institutions across multiple countries to tackle shared challenges in fields ranging from artificial intelligence to sustainable development and smart cities.

The scale of engagement has been growing rapidly since the beginning of the initiative in 2019. As of 2026 there are 73 alliances with more than 650 higher education institutions involved and 50 percent of the HEI students are studying in a European University alliance (European Commission 2025). In Finland alone, 78 percent of students now study within a European University alliance, yet this level of integration remains underrecognized in EU policy debates. The Ulysseus IAB gathering in Brussels aimed to change that narrative.

Main recommendations for future strategic actions

IAB discussions crystallized around several core themes that can help define the next phase of European university alliances.

Firstly, we must move beyond viewing alliances as EU projects. Through Ulysseus and similar networks, we are co-creating knowledge that addresses Europe’s geopolitical challenges, fostering innovation that strengthens economic resilience, and cultivating the next generation of citizens who understand Europe’s shared values. This requires directing our contributions also into political priorities at regional, national, and European levels.

Secondly, our narrative needs to reflect reality. European Universities have the potential of being drivers for regional transformation. Whether through research collaboration with local industries, joint degree programs that respond to labor market needs, or cultural exchange initiatives that strengthen European identity, alliances like Ulysseus generate tangible value for communities and economies.

We need to communicate the success stories of what has been collectively achieved and the impact of Ulysseus long-term development activities more effectively to policymakers and citizens alike. Therefore, Ulysseus has decided to emphasize its visibility within EU policy makers and institutions for instance by organizing on a regular basis rector’s meeting in Brussels, engaging EU policy makers to Ulysseus events and optimizing the communication activities in Brussels.

Moreover, we need to diversify our funding models to prepare for reduced EU funding by developing strategies for national public funding, private investment, and competitive research funding, such as Horizon Europe, European Competitiveness Fund.

We also need to place the Ulysseus Innovation Hubs at the forefront of alliance activities to optimize visibility and impact through their distinctive ecosystem methodology for research and development. This unique structure of the Ulysseus Innovation Hubs has been pointed out as an exemplary model in the Report on the Outcomes and Transformational Potential of the European University Initiative (Grumbinaitė, Colus & Buitrago Carvajal 2025). The hubs are described as collective mechanisms for cooperation, responding to research and development needs common to alliance cities and regions.

Lastly, operating in isolation limits our impact. We must amplify our voice through joint platforms like the Community of Practice FOREU4ALL where all 73 alliances come together to share and strengthen collaboration.

The path forward

As we concluded our Brussels gathering, the consensus was clear: European university alliances already deliver concrete value but their transformational potential will increase over time. Our challenge is to ensure this value is visible, understood, and integrated into EU policymaking.

We are committed to advancing this agenda through continued dialogue with policymakers, strengthened networks across alliances, and clearer communication of our strategic role.

The Brussels encounter was a significant step forward, pointing out needed strategic actions to move forward. Ulysseus and our fellow alliances will continue demonstrating that when European universities unite with purpose, we don’t just educate students. We transform societies, drive innovation, and build the Europe of tomorrow.

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