The Pilot Phase of the UNITA partnership ran from 2020-2023. In this initial phase, six universities were part of the Alliance:
- University of Beira Interior (Portugal)
- University of Zaragoza (Spain)
- University of Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (France)
- University of Savoie-Mont Blanc (France)
- University of Turin (Italy)
- University of Vest din Timisoara (Romania).
Additionally, the project was supported by 33 associated partners, representing various actors in each regional ecosystem, including the socio-economic sector, public authorities, and different organizations.
Achievements (2020–2023)
The first phase of UNITA (2020–2023) laid the foundations for a shared European university rooted in inclusion, multilingualism and territorial innovation.
Governance and Community
UNITA created a democratic and participatory governance model involving all actors of the university community.
- Established the Governance Board and advisory bodies (Students’ Assembly, Advisory Council, and Quality & Evaluation Board).
- Set up six UNITA offices and a shared Datacloud platform for management and collaboration.
- Engaged over 400 participants and created 34 full-time administrative positions.
- Involved 96.7% of academic faculties across partner universities.
- Launched the UNITA-GEIE, the alliance’s European legal entity.
- Created the pioneering UNITA Students’ Assembly, bringing together more than 60 student representatives.
- Establised an Internal Quality and Evaluation Process.
Innovative Education
A new model of student-centred and international learning emerged across the alliance.
- Opened Hubs of Success, supporting more than 6,000 students in their academic and mobility pathways.
- Mapped courses in Circular Economy, Renewable Energies and Cultural Heritage.
- Organised 36 UNITA Days to promote study opportunities.
- Trained 925 teachers in digital and innovative pedagogies through the Teaching and Learning Centres Network.
- Shared common quality tools to assess and enhance teaching across universities.
Multilingualism and Intercomprehension in Romance lenguages
UNITA promoted language diversity as a driver of inclusion and cohesion.
- Developed an Intercomprehension Competence Framework and eight training models.
- Delivered 44 courses for 143 participants, issuing 335 digital badges.
- Published free resources on the UNITA website to strengthen multilingual communication.
- Encouraged intercomprehension in everyday work and fostered research with nine publications and one PhD thesis.
- Extended learning to society through activities for young pupils.
Research became a catalyst for transformation in rural and mountain territories.
- Created a cartography of 649 research projects and three Research & Innovation Hubs in the alliance’s core thematic areas.
- Integrated 157 researchers into the hubs.
- Organised 16 seasonal schools with 199 participants.
- Supported 47 joint PhD programmes (35 connected to the hubs).
- Launched 49 self-funded projects implemented by a total of 120 researchers and 22 international research internships.
- Engaged 93 regional stakeholders in collaborative innovation.
Mobility for All
UNITA expanded mobility beyond traditional formats, making it more flexible and inclusive.
- Activated 2,473 mobilities for students and staff.
- Introduced four new mobility types: Virtual, Blended Intensive Programs, Collaborative International Learning and Rural Mobility.
- Implemented 313 Rural Mobilities with 85 local partners, linking universities to their regions.
- Digitalised procedures through initiatives like Erasmus Without Paper, online learning agreements and flexible study windows.
- Published a skills framework to recognise learning outcomes from mobility experiences.
UNITA reinforced European values through education, research and civic engagement.
- Held 12 workshops and two virtual courses on European citizenship with more than 1,600 participants.
- Offered nine courses for rural communities reaching 248 participants.
- Engaged over 1,000 high-school students through UNITA student ambassadors promoting European citizenship and identity.
- Issued 127 digital badges, awarded master’s and bachelor’s theses prizes, and created a PhD position in European Citizenship.
- Organised an open conference on European Citizenship.
Digital infrastructures connected the alliance and enabled new ways of learning and collaboration.
- Developed three tools:
- Datacloud – shared management and collaboration space.
- Virtual Campus (#UVC) – platform for education and research.
- UNITA Website – the public showcase of the alliance.
- Issued 356 European Student Cards, combining physical and digital identity for seamless academic access.
UNITA built a recognisable identity and secured its long-term future.
- Created a unified visual identity and strengthened its online presence (4,952 followers across five social media platforms).
- Launched a newsletter, a podcast series, and granted 12 patronages to cultural and academic projects.
- Published the Manual of Best Practices and organised the UNITA U*Night – European Researchers’ Night.
- Took part in 131 external events across Europe.
- Secured €10.2 million in additional EU funding (204% of the initial budget), ensuring continuity into the next phase.