Background

E³UDRES² 2.0 propels forward the Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as a driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions, resulting in an enhanced quality, performance, attractiveness and competitiveness of the European University alliance and its individual members. Beginning October 2020, the initial E³UDRES² alliance comprised six higher education institutions. The consortium has expanded with E³UDRES² 2.0, incorporating 36 affiliated partners and nine universities. It also strengthens ties with academic institutions and regional communities in Ukraine and the Western Balkans.      

Project Content

E³UDRES² 2.0 deepens and broadens collaboration among European educational institutions and leverages complementary strengths of full and associated partners. It catalyses transformative processes at the institutional level and places strong emphasis on the principles of open science, open education, and open data practices. Moreover, it actively seeks strategic partnerships beyond the university sphere by forging strong ties with a diverse array of regional and European stakeholders across various fields of activity.

On the level of education E³UDRES² 2.0 intensifies efforts to establish joint bachelor, master and doctoral degrees. This encompasses courses, modules, and micro-credentials that are seamlessly integrated into the existing curricula of E³UDRES² partners. A key focus of E³UDRES² 2.0 is the promoting of social inclusion and equal opportunities in higher education as well as providing flexible learning paths for lifelong learning. The initiative also advances innovative teaching, learning, research, and innovation environments, with on-site, online, and blended scenarios, involving  educators, coaches, supporters, (regional) stakeholders, and (future) employees.

As an Engaged University, E³UDRES² interacts with its regional communities, connects them across Europe,  and promotes the transformation of small and medium-sized cities and their rural environments into smart and sustainable European regions.

Goals

E³UDRES² 2.0 pursues the strategic core objectives listed below:

• Empower individuals to unlock their full potential by fostering a culture of continuous learning and talent development.
• Act as a platform that connects entrepreneurial minds and encourages collaborative innovation.
• Engage regional/local communities for mutual benefit, building an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient society that is well-prepared for future challenges.
• Empower Ent-r-e-novators (entrepreneurs, researchers, educators, and innovators).
• Lay the groundwork for a fully-fledged European university that complies with high standards of quality in education, research and knowledge transfer into the society.
• Highlight the significance of cultural and creative spillovers, as creative industries are not only important for a region's identity and the preservation of its cultural heritage, but also frequently are the first to experiment with new technologies.
• Combine the expertise and resources of participating institutions to advance research in the following areas: Circular Economy, Wellbeing and Active Ageing, Social Inclusion, and all facets of Artificial Intelligence, including the human factor.

Methods & Initiatives

E³UDRES² attaches great importance to co-ideation, co-creation and participation at all levels of the project. As a result, all partners actively participate in each work package, possess an equal voice in development and decision-making processes, and shoulder an equitable share of the workload.

E³UDRES² 2.0 enhances established formats such as Science Pub Quiz, Open Sources of Inspiration, Photo Voice Challenges, Change CornEr, Hackathons, Bootcamps, regional iResidencies, Open Lectures, and Inspiring Chats. In addition, it launches new activities in citizen science, user-driven open innovation, and science communication to fortify knowledge exchange. Furthermore, the initiative broadens the pan-European network of regionally anchored Open Innovation Hubs, aiming to empower collaboration, interconnect regional ecosystems on a European level, and facilitate knowledge exchange through practical experiences, internships, challenge-based RDI-projects, and joint community events. Moreover, E³UDRES² 2.0 extends support for student and staff entrepreneurship, strengthens entrepreneurial education, and optimizes support for startups.

Vision

Diversity is key to flourishing societies, regions, and economies. E3UDRES2 2.0, aligned with the European Strategy for Universities, dismantles barriers and unites Europeans across cultures, generations, and sectors. Students, learners, educators, entrepreneurs, innovators, citizens - all collaborate to achieve shared goals for inclusive, sustainable growth and well-being.