On 1 October 2024, eight European Universities alliances, including 4EU+, released a joint position paper urging the European Commission to grant full access to the Erasmus Without Papers (EWP) network for higher education institutions from third countries that wish to and are technically capable of being part of it.
The University of Geneva, a member of the 4EU+ Alliance, is among the institutions affected by current limitations. As Switzerland is not associated with the Erasmus+ programme, the University of Geneva exemplifies the challenges faced by third-country HEIs in accessing the EWP network. Including such institutions would facilitate smoother student exchanges and help fulfill the broader goal of global interconnectedness in higher education.
The position paper, co-signed by Una Europa, 4EU+, Circle U, CIVIS, ENHANCE, EUTOPIA, EUonAIr and UNITA, emphasizes the growing demand for global partnerships and calls for a more international approach to higher education. The alliances are committed to working closely with the European Commission and Erasmus+ National Agencies to refine the EWP network and ensure seamless mobility experiences for students worldwide.
Erasmus Without Paper (EWP): Involvement of third countries
Read the full position paper here