EUTOPIA Day within the EUTOPIA Alliance (2023–2025)
2023: Laying the groundwork for an alliance-wide event
Although EUTOPIA Day had not yet been officially launched in 2023, the alliance strengthened its shared identity and public visibility through coordinated, alliance-level initiatives. A key example was Europe Day (9 May 2023), when the ten EUTOPIA universities jointly reaffirmed their commitment to shaping the future of higher education and research in Europe.
2024: The first EUTOPIA Day – Sustainability and Climate Change (13 May 2024)
EUTOPIA Day was officially launched on 13 May 2024 as an annual alliance-wide event aimed at increasing visibility and engagement across EUTOPIA campuses. The first edition focused on Sustainability and Climate Change, combining locally organised activities at each partner university with a central joint session that brought together rectors, vice-rectors and experts for cross-alliance dialogue.
Activities took diverse formats, including panel discussions, workshops, lectures, thematic walks and seminars, highlighting EUTOPIA’s role in supporting societal impact and the transition towards a more sustainable future.
Examples of activities organised in 2024 included:
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Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB): a seminar showcasing research carried out within the EUTOPIA Science & Innovation Fellowship (SIF) programme.
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NOVA University Lisbon: climate-focused discussions, including a roundtable on raising awareness of climate change (NOVA Medical School) and a debate on how universities can contribute to mitigating and adapting to environmental risks.
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University of Ljubljana: a series of events addressing climate challenges and sustainable futures, hosted at the EU House in Ljubljana.
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Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF Barcelona): a public lecture on ecological transition, followed by a roundtable discussion with student participation.
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University of Warwick: a workshop on Serious Games for Sustainable Development, organised as part of the EUTOPIA Day programme.
2025: The second EUTOPIA Day – “You Belong Here” (10 November 2025)
On 10 November 2025, the alliance marked the second edition of EUTOPIA Day, bringing together the ten partner universities under the shared theme “You Belong Here”, with a strong focus on inclusion and belonging. Across campuses, academic communities explored how a sense of belonging is fostered through interdisciplinarity, innovation and cooperation, using a variety of formats such as workshops, debates, student-led exchanges, fairs and digital showcases.
At alliance level, the 2025 edition highlighted three priority areas:
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inclusive learning models and Connected Communities that support student-centred education;
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accessible cross-campus opportunities (e.g. TeamWork, Young Leaders Academy, Innovation Challenges), designed to broaden participation in international experiences;
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digital inclusion, including “internationalisation at home” and the role of technology in reducing inequalities.
Examples of activities organised in 2025 included:
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Babeș–Bolyai University (UBB): local EUTOPIA Day activities aligned with the “You Belong Here” theme, hosted on campus and promoted through UBB’s institutional communication channels.
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University of Ljubljana: a dedicated EUTOPIA Day programme delivered in Slovenian, with registration-based participation and schedules published online.
What EUTOPIA Day looks like across the alliance
Between 2024 and 2025, EUTOPIA Day has become an important moment for visibility and engagement at campus level, connecting local academic communities with the alliance’s opportunities and priorities through:
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public lectures, panels and roundtables, often linked to major societal challenges;
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interactive workshops and skills-development sessions for students, researchers and staff;
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fairs and networking formats showcasing EUTOPIA initiatives and communities;
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hybrid and online exchanges, including cross-campus dialogue and engagement with external partners;
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communication and storytelling actions, helping make the EUTOPIA alliance more tangible and accessible to university communities.