U!REKA's key messages for the next EU financial framework

The aim was to present the alliance's priorities with a view to the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034) and to highlight the importance of strategic funding in the areas of research, development, innovation and education.

U!REKA – Urban Research and Education Knowledge Alliance, comprising 65 European universities, calls for increased investment that would lead not only to increased competitiveness and economic growth in Europe, but also to sustainable development and social cohesion.

A sustainable investment strategy for European university alliances

European university alliances, including VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, play a key role in connecting education, research, innovation and public services. The U!REKA delegation in Brussels presented several key recommendations for the further development of alliances:

• Doubling the Erasmus+ budget: Increasing funds will enable the expansion of international mobility, support for innovative education programmes and deeper cooperation between universities across Europe.
• Securing long-term funding: In the period 2028-2034, the Erasmus+ programme should offer stable and predictable funding for alliances, thus reducing dependence on short-term project grants.
• Supporting the research and innovation potential of alliances: Erasmus+ alone cannot cover all the activities of university alliances. That is why U!REKA proposes the use of other European instruments – in particular the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

At the same time, the alliance draws attention to the need to align European and national funding programmes and calls on Member States to provide national support to the institutions involved.

Impact-oriented research as an engine for change

The U!REKA delegation underlined the importance of research and innovation aimed at tackling societal challenges, as set out under the 2nd pillar of Horizon Europe. This approach allows the rapid transfer of research results into practice and their use in industry and the public sector.

U!REKA therefore calls for the preservation and further development of this funding model as a key component of the future EU Framework Programme. It places particular emphasis on applied research, cooperation with partners outside academia and strengthening the societal impact of science.

Accelerating digital and green transformation

The European Union faces major challenges in the area of digitisation and decarbonisation. The urban areas in which universities operate are natural testing grounds for new technologies and approaches. The U!REKA delegation therefore proposes:

• The earmarking of targeted research and innovation funds for clean and digital transformation in the next EU Framework Programme.
• Effective use of cohesion policy to support the transfer and diffusion of urban solutions across Europe.
• Investing in education and skills development: Erasmus+ and other programmes should support lifelong learning and skills upgrading of professionals in key areas of the green and digital economy.

The meeting in Brussels confirmed the united position of the U!REKA Alliance on the future of the European Education and Research Area. VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava, as an active member of this alliance, continues to participate in shaping a strategy that reflects the challenges of the present and brings concrete proposals for the sustainable and inclusive development of Europe.