Successful launch of BAUHAUS4EU in Weimar

© Thomas Müller

A First Step Towards Ambitious European Collaboration

From March 11 to 13, 2025, members of the 10 partner universities of the BAUHAUS4EU project gathered in Weimar for the official kick-off meeting.

This event marked a crucial milestone in the implementation of this ambitious project aimed at creating a common European university. Participants had the opportunity to share the roadmaps of each “WorkPackage” and define the next steps in this international collaboration.

The first day began with a speech by the president of Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Prof. Peter Benz. In is opening remarks, he highlighted the core values of the Alliance, such as intercultural competencies, sustainability expertise, and awareness of regional specificities. He also emphasized the importance of these elements in making BAUHAUS4EU a model for cooperation among European universities.

The following contributions provided enriching perspectives from international partners. Prof. Maurizio Tira, Board Member of the European University Association (EUA), Solène Gautron, Policy Officer for the New European Bauhaus at the Joint Research Center of the European Commission, and Ana Sofia Coutinho, Project Officer at the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), shared their vision for the future of European universities. They also emphasized the importance of BAUHAUS4EU in the European education landscape.

Dr. Tonia Schmitz, BAUHAUS4EU coordinator at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, then presented the eleven workpackages, each playing a key role in achieving the project’s goals. This presentation helped clarify the mission of each group and reinforced collaboration between teams.

The first day concluded with a reception where participants had the opportunity to meet regional partners, including Christian Tischner, Minister of Education, Science, and Culture of Thuringia. He emphasized the importance of the Alliance in strengthening European identity and promoting innovation and sustainable development in the region.

The second day was dedicated to the presentation of each WorkPackage, allowing participants to share their progress and adjust their strategies for the months ahead.

In addition to the working sessions, participants had the opportunity to explore the city of Weimar, a historic and culturally rich location, providing an inspiring backdrop for this international gathering.

This event was a decisive step for BAUHAUS4EU, laying solid foundations for the coming years of collaboration, with the aim of creating a truly European university based on innovation, sustainability, and intercultural exchange.