The European Civis University has been selected by the EU Commission for funding as a university network. The Civis Alliance includes Sapienza University of Rome, Aix-Marseille Université, Ethniko kai Kapodistriako Panepistimio Athinon, Universitatea din București, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Université libre de Bruxelles and Stockholms universitet. It is one of 17 projects approved by the Brussels authorities out of 48.

The Civis Network aims to develop an integrated university basin bringing together 400,000 students and 55,000 between academic staff and technical-administrative personnel. One of its main objectives is the promotion of multilingualism and cultural diversity. The EU funding, which will be added to individual co-funding by the various partner universities, will allow the development of a wide curriculum of activities. 

Students will be able to attend courses and programmes at all participating universities and receive joint degrees, as well as to access innovative tools for learning languages and a unified student card – the same for all students in all countries – that will simplify access to services. Professors will be able to conduct integrated research activities with easy access to collaborative European environments to develop partnerships, shared innovative pedagogic methodologies and enjoy a greater basin for the dissemination of scientific results. Technical-administrative staff will be able to conduct on-the-job training with colleagues in partner universities.

The free exchange between universities and citizens is also fundamental. The latter will be able to participate actively in the definition of Alliance research initiatives through civic science tools and learn about research results through an open science strategy. Moreover, stakeholder research labs will be made available to locals through the “openlabs” formula.