Our European Alliance CIVICA Awarded Erasmus+ Grant for Two Further Years

CIVICA, the European University of Social Sciences, has secured European Commission funding to continue its work for two more years, confirming the alliance’s standing as a transformative force in European higher education.

A 7.2 million euros grant

The grant, worth EUR 7.2 million, awarded under the Erasmus+ programme, will enable our European university alliance to deepen cooperation in the social sciences and advance an academic community that spans ten universities.

CIVICA future goals

Over the next two years, CIVICA will:

• expand opportunities for students, faculty and staff, ensuring greater numbers benefit from the chance to study and collaborate across ten universities, in nine countries,
• pilot an inclusiveness programme and explore the European Degree Label,
• develop innovative educational pathways,
• strengthen research ties,
• further embed open science,
• expand lifelong learning opportunities.

There is also an ongoing commitment to the partnership with five Ukrainian universities, supporting their closer integration into the European Higher Education Area.

Security and AI: new key priorities

CIVICA’s scientific priorities have been renewed, with the addition of a fifth priority dedicated to security and resilience, as well as a more direct reference to the role of Artificial intelligence in the social sciences.

“Universities have a unique responsibility”

Luis Vassy, President of Sciences Po, which operates as CIVICA alliance coordinator welcomed the announcement from the European Commission: "the renewed selection of CIVICA under this competitive Erasmus+ call demonstrates the strength of our shared European ambition for higher education and research in the social sciences. At a time when Europe faces profound geopolitical, technological, and democratic challenges, universities have a unique responsibility to generate knowledge, foster critical thinking, and contribute to informed public debate. By bringing together Europe's leading social science institutions, CIVICA strengthens our collective capacity to educate future leaders, advance excellent research and contribute to Europe's democratic resilience, competitiveness and global influence."

"Building a truly European academic community for the social sciences"

Aurélien Krejbich, CIVICA’s Executive Director, said the decision reflected both the strength of what the alliance had achieved and future promise: “Over the past six years (almost seven), CIVICA has shown that lasting cooperation between universities creates new type opportunities that can only be delivered collectively. Today, our alliance is connecting people, ideas and expertise across Europe in ways that strengthen education, research and societal engagement. This new phase will allow us to deepen that integration and continue building a truly European academic community for the social sciences.”

CIVICA, an alliance uniting ten leading European universities

CIVICA, the European University of Social Sciences, unites ten leading European higher education and research institutions in the social sciences, humanities, business management, and public policy. Founded in 2019, the alliance brings together Bocconi University, Central European University, the European University Institute, the Hertie School, IE University, the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Sciences Po, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, the Stockholm School of Economics and the London School of Economics and Political Science. Find out more.

The European Universities alliances, a flagship initiative of the European Commission

The European Universities alliances are part of a flagship initiative of the European strategy for universities. They encompass 73 European Universities alliances with almost 650 higher education institutions of all types, from all across Europe. Learn more.