Bringing Europe in Universities and Capital cities

ongoing

UNICA is the Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe. Established in 1990, it currently gathers 56 universities from 41 European capital cities, bringing together over 150,000 university staff and more than 1.5 million students. With its permanent Secretariat based in Brussels, UNICA acts as a unique bridge between local academic communities and European institutions. UNICA promotes institutional transformation by enabling peer learning, fostering policy engagement, and amplifying the strategic role of capital-city universities. It facilitates the exchange of best practices, cross-border collaboration, and direct engagement with EU education, research, and civic agendas. UNICA’s mission and activities directly support the general EU interest and contribute to the EU policy objectives outlined in the Civil Society Cooperation call, particularly in advancing the European Education Area, supporting inclusive and future-proof education, and strengthening the capacity of civil society actors in the higher education field. Over the 2026–2027 partnership period, UNICA will deliver its action plan through four strategic clusters: 1. Management and Organisational Development 2. Capacity Building and Cooperation between Member Universities 3. Policy and Stakeholder Engagement 4. Information, Dissemination and Awareness Raising The impact of UNICA’s work is monitored through a structured quality assurance framework combining event evaluations, membership surveys, digital analytics, media engagement, and participation in policy processes. The network continuously adapts its methods based on member feedback and stakeholder needs, ensuring it remains responsive, inclusive, and aligned with EU priorities.