One year of OpenEU: consolidating the alliance set to transform Higher Education in Europe

The only European alliance of open and distance universities celebrates its first year as a driver of innovation and collaboration in higher education.

One year ago, the European Commission gave the green light to a shared ambition within the framework of the European Universities Initiative: the creation of the first European open university. In a Europe where 30% of the population is already engaged in online learning, according to Eurostat, the need to adapt higher education to this reality is urgent and unavoidable.

This December 2025, OpenEU marks its first anniversary. It has been twelve months of intensive work, of connecting cultures and designing the architecture of a project born with a clear ambition: to strengthen the digital, inclusive and sustainable dimension of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). We close a first chapter focused on strategic definition and open a new one centred on implementation.

From vision to structure: one year of building bridges

If the launch of OpenEU represented the first step, this first year has been dedicated to building cohesion and raising the pillars that will support the entire structure. As is often the case with major transformative projects, the most critical work is not always the most visible, yet it is among the most essential.

Over the past twelve months, the ten member universities and the network of associated partners that make up the alliance have worked to move from being an alliance on paper to becoming a truly cohesive human team. Governance bodies have been established, processes harmonised across highly diverse institutions, and a shared language developed to address the three major challenges facing higher education today: digital transformation, inclusion, and lifelong learning.

The success of any European project depends on the strength of its foundations. This first year has allowed us to move from being partners to becoming a truly cohesive team, putting the necessary frameworks in place. With strong foundations and a shared vision, we are now ready to move from planning to implementation and accelerate our activity.

— Àlex Hinojo, Secretary General

Reaffirming our purpose: leaving no one behind

While working on our internal structures, we have never lost sight of our mission. OpenEU was created to respond to an undeniable reality: the European Higher Education Area requires a model of higher education that adapts to people’s lives and ensures that no one is left behind.

This first anniversary serves to reaffirm our commitment to the non-traditional students we collectively represent—more than 368,000 learners who work, care for their families, have diverse needs, or require continuous professional reskilling. The vision that brought us together more than a year ago is today more relevant than ever.

We have also confirmed that the diversity of the alliance—bringing together universities from Iceland to Cyprus, and from Portugal to Latvia—is our greatest asset in promoting European values over the long term.

A unique opportunity gaining momentum. An invitation to take part

As highlighted at the outset of the project, OpenEU represents a “unique opportunity to extend the reach and impact” of European universities. We have laid the solid foundations of a university without walls or borders.

As we enter our second year, we invite the entire university community to take an active role, whether by engaging in new learning programmes, making the most of emerging mobility opportunities, or sharing your experience. Your contribution is essential.

We thank all our members, partners, colleagues and students for being part of this shared journey.

Here’s to many more years of transforming higher education. Season’s greetings and best wishes for the year ahead.