The report urges policymakers to bridge the divide between Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe, advocating for sustainable, coordinated, and long-term funding under a strategic vision spanning at least a decade. Now entering a phase of institutionalisation, the European Universities Initiative is presented as a powerful driver of organisational and cultural change, offering a model for 21st-century universities. The report highlights the alliances’ role in promoting innovation in education, enhancing research collaboration, and fostering a shared sense of European identity, while also identifying key challenges in funding, legal frameworks, and human resources. The long-term success of these alliances will depend on clear political commitment at both European and national levels.

CHARM-EU and its transformative potential at the University of Montpellier

CHARM-EU has exemplified this transformative potential at the University of Montpellier, reshaping governance, teaching, research, and international engagement. Functioning as a strategic driver of internationalization rather than a standalone project, the alliance embeds administrative staff across key departments, fostering interdepartmental collaboration and alignment with university objectives. This integration has enabled the creation of the university’s first joint Master’s degree, the implementation of new policies for micro-credentials, and the launch of the CHARM-EU space, a hub for hybrid learning and professional development.

The alliance has shifted University of Montpellier’s international strategy toward a Europe-focused approach, increasing staff and student mobility and strengthening collaboration with academic and non-academic partners. Students are more engaged in governance and interdisciplinary programs, while staff gain professional development in multilingual communication, hybrid teaching, and international collaboration. CHARM-EU has also driven innovation in teaching through challenge-based learning, hybrid courses, flexible modular programs, and Knowledge Creation Teams, breaking down traditional disciplinary silos and encouraging more collaborative approaches to education.

In research, CHARM-EU supports integrated, transdisciplinary projects addressing global challenges, linking students, faculty, and external stakeholders through initiatives such as Capstone projects and scientific hubs. The alliance has strengthened University of Montpellier’s national and international networks, enabling rapid mobilization of expertise and resources.

Overall, CHARM-EU has made the University of Montpellier more collaborative, flexible, and globally connected, positioning it as a European and international reference for education, research, and societal engagement.