30. 4. 2026
Geneva, 29 April 2026
The 4EU+ European University Alliance and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding, to strengthen collaboration between academic research and frontline policy and practice on migration, global health, professional mobility, and social inclusion across Europe.
Initiated by academics from the 4EU+ Flagship 1: Urban Health and Demographic Change, the partnership is rooted in a shared commitment to addressing the operational challenges of migration while upholding human rights and migrants’ well-being.
The collaboration seeks to leverage the interdisciplinary expertise of 4EU+ member universities to enhance the impact of international migration policies. The partnership will tackle pressing issues faced by migrants in Europe, including barriers to healthcare, social discrimination, and educational gaps.
“For the 4EU+ Alliance, this partnership can provide a powerful incentive to strengthen inter-university research networks, mobility pathways, micro-credentials, and lifelong learning opportunities in the area of migration studies, global health, and environmental change. Cooperation with an international organisation such as the IOM will increase the impact of shared initiatives and programmes at the societal and policymaking levels across Europe,” says Prof. Antonella Della Fave, Flagship 1 coordinator at the University of Milan.
“Migration is a driver of sustainable development, bringing in skills, investment and innovation to societies,” highlights Arthur Erken, IOM’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia. “Yet too often the policy and public debates outpace the evidence. Academic partnerships such as this one are essential to advancing robust, evidence-based approaches that link knowledge to action and recognize migrants not only as beneficiaries of policy, but as active contributors to sustainable development.”
By combining the scientific expertise of 4EU+ academics with IOM’s operational field experience, the collaboration will focus on five key pillars:
Joint research and policy briefs: Collaborative design of research projects and studies on human rights, urbanisation, climate change, and big data analysis.
Training and lifelong learning: Development of focused, short courses, summer and winter schools, and continuous professional development programmes, particularly for healthcare professionals working with migrants.
Internships and mentoring: Implementation of internship schemes within IOM units, online mentoring for early-career researchers, and joint supervision of Master’s and PhD theses.
Expert exchange: Participation of IOM experts in 4EU+ advisory boards and conferences, and the involvement of 4EU+ academics and students in IOM regional consultations.
Supporting research and educational initiatives: Joint identification of funding opportunities (such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+) to advance innovative research and education.
The 4EU+ European University Alliance is a transnational strategic association of eight universities: Charles University in Prague, Heidelberg University, Paris-Panthéon-Assas University, Sorbonne University in Paris, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Geneva, the University of Milan, and the University of Warsaw. The 4EU+ Alliance has one vision: to create one comprehensive research-intensive European University through a new quality of cooperation in teaching, education, research and administration.
Established in 1951, IOM is the leading UN agency in the field of migration. As a related organization of the United Nations, IOM has 175 Member States, a further 8 States holding observer status, and offices in 172 countries. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by supporting migrants worldwide, developing effective responses to changing migration dynamics, and providing guidance on migration policy and practice.
Katarzyna Ścierańska
4EU+ Communications Officer, [e-mail]
www.4euplus.eu
IOM Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia
Web: eca.iom.int; Email: [e-mail]
From left to right: Stéphane Berthet, Vice-Rector for International and Inter-Institutional Relations at the University of Geneva; Arthur Erken, Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia at the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Photo credit: University of Geneva
From left to right: Arthur Erken, Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia at the International Organization for Migration (IOM); Audrey Leuba, Rector of the University of Geneva. Photo credit: University of Geneva