Today’s complex societal challenges demand collaboration across borders, disciplines, and institutions. The European Union provides fertile ground for such innovation through European policies funding and mobility programmes. But what if the most transformative research arises not from a single university, but from a dynamic European ecosystem of innovators?
Text: Lisa Pohl and Olga Wessels
Photo: Uli Schillebeeckx
The European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) is more than a network, it is a driving force shaping the future of research and education in Europe. With its Brussels office, ECIU plays a strategic role in influencing EU policy in education, research and innovation and funding programmes. By engaging directly with European institutions and sharing practises from the partner universities, ECIU ensures that initiatives like Horizon Europe are designed to meet the needs of researchers and respond to society’s most urgent challenges.
At the core of these efforts is the ECIU Brussels office. Led by Olga Wessels (Head of Office), Lisa Pohl (EU Policy Officer), the coordinates of FOREU4ALL, and Giulia Consoni (Intern), the team drives strategic outreach to EU institutions and academic networks.
The EU is always seeking for experts and good practises from universities to contribute to EU policy-making. The Brussels office helps to make the voice of the ECIU community heard at the EU level. Moreover, the office serves as a meeting point for the ECIU community, offering facilities for delegation visits and collaborative sessions. Whether you are organising a meeting or coordinating a visit, the ECIU Brussels team, located close to the European Parliament in Rue Luxembourg, is ready to support you.
Horizon Europe
The EU’s proposed budget of €175 billion for research and innovation (R&I) for the next Horizon Europe programme 2028-2034, emphasises the importance of R&I in Europe’s social and economic transformation.
The Brussels’ office, together with the Vice-Presidents for Research and R&I experts of partner institutions, makes sure that the next Horizon Europe programme fits the needs of researchers.
European Research Area and Innovation Act
ECIU has recently made significant contributions to important legislative initiatives, including the European Research Area (ERA) Act and the European Innovation Act. The ERA Act aims to establish the EU’s fifth freedom: the free movement of research, innovation, and knowledge. For ECIU, this is a pivotal opportunity to ensure that the Act reflects the experiences of institutions that are already operating across borders.
The European Innovation Act marks another milestone to which ECIU contributed its expertise. It seeks to support an innovation-friendly environment in Europe. While ECIU’s member universities are already at the forefront of innovation and creating societal impact, the Act offers a chance to align EU policy with these innovative practices by providing better legal frameworks and funding mechanisms.
ECIU is more than just a consortium, it is a home for pioneering minds. By connecting researchers across borders and disciplines, ECIU empowers them to create impact where it matters most. The future of research, education and innovation is collaborative and it starts here.
Stay updated, subscribe for the ECIU University newsletter:
