EUA position calls for research, education and innovation partnership for Europe's competitiveness

The European University Association (EUA) has published a position on 'A research, education and innovation partnership for Europe’s competitiveness'. The position paper was presented on 26 March 2025 and calls for sustaining the entire ecosystem of knowledge, skills and culture in order to truly foster a competitive economy in Europe.

EUA states that universities are key to making the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass a success, saying they are also essential elements for protecting Europe’s social model and security. EUA therefore calls for the Competitiveness Compass to now create space for dialogue and co-creation. To maximise universities’ contribution to Europe’s competitiveness, research, innovation, education and skills need optimal framework conditions. Any reforms and investments in that direction must be implemented thoroughly and ensure consistent dialogue, EUA emphasises.

EUA therefore proposes a partnership for competitiveness, bringing together the stakeholders and sectors that form Europe’s knowledge base and the policy makers that can create the framework to further develop and leverage it.

In this paper, EUA outlines several ways in which the European Union can foster the right conditions to place research, innovation, education and skills at the heart of its economy, including by providing citizens across Europe with the education, skills and competencies that they need.

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EUA position: A research, education and innovation partnership for Europe’s competitiveness