On 9–10 October 2025, Tirana, Albania hosted the Study in Europe Events 2025, bringing together policymakers, higher education institutions, and international cooperation stakeholders from across Europe. The two-day programme featured two flagship events: the EU Policy Event “Advancing Quality Assurance and Recognition in the Western Balkans” and the Contact Building Seminar “Fostering Erasmus+ Cooperation with the Western Balkans.”

Advancing Quality Assurance and Recognition (9 October)

The first day welcomed policymakers and higher education experts for a high-level policy dialogue on quality assurance (QA) and recognition in higher education. Organised with the support of the European Commission, the event contributed to the implementation of the 2025 Council Recommendation on a European QA and recognition system and aligned with the goals of the European Education Area (EEA).

Opening remarks were delivered by Antoaneta Irikova (DG EAC, European Commission) and Bernard Segarra (EU Delegation to Albania). In her keynote speech, Maria Kelo, Director at the European University Association, emphasised the importance of quality assurance in building trust and facilitating international cooperation.

The programme featured a plenary panel on national developments in QA and recognition—drawing perspectives from the Western Balkans, Nordic, and Benelux regions—followed by two thematic sessions. Discussions focused on institutional QA practices and the practical implementation of automatic recognition of qualifications. The day concluded with reflections from Angeliki Psychogyiou (Academic Cooperation Association) and closing remarks by Antoaneta Irikova.

This event provided a crucial platform for knowledge-sharing, policy alignment, and strengthening cross-border cooperation in higher education.

Fostering Erasmus+ Cooperation (10 October)

On the second day, higher education institutions from the EU and the Western Balkans convened for the Contact Building Seminar, aimed at fostering new institutional partnerships under Erasmus+. With a particular focus on International Credit Mobility (ICM), Erasmus Mundus, and Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE), the event brought together over 150 participants onsite and online via the b2match platform.

Opening the seminar, Jacques Kemp from the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) outlined the seminar’s goals and practical benefits for participating institutions. The morning sessions provided detailed guidance on Erasmus+ opportunities and step-by-step advice for newcomers.

A panel discussion featured institutional representatives who shared first-hand experiences and strategies for navigating Erasmus+ challenges—from partnership development to project management. In the afternoon, participants engaged in pre-arranged bilateral matchmaking sessions, enabling targeted networking based on academic interests and strategic priorities.

The seminar concluded with an invitation to join the Study in Europe Fair Albania 2025, further extending opportunities for networking and cooperation.

Study in Europe Events 2025 once again demonstrated the EU’s commitment to enhancing international cooperation and strengthening the role of higher education in the Western Balkans.

More information about the Study in Europe initiative can be found here: STUDY IN EUROPE

On 6 October, the "EU Programmes Day" was organised by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a focus on exploring the opportunities available to BiH through participation in European Union programmes.

The event brought together over 600 participants from government institutions, academia, culture, healthcare, civil society, and the business sector to discuss strengthening cooperation, sharing experiences, and promoting successful EU-funded projects.

Minister Dubravka Bošnjak highlighted the importance of such events in building institutional capacity and enhancing the country’s ability to access EU funds. She noted key programmes such as EU4Health, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Creative Europe, and others — with a combined budget exceeding €130 billion — as significant opportunities for BiH.

Two expert panels provided practical guidance on developing successful project proposals, avoiding common pitfalls, and fostering international collaboration.

While Bosnia and Herzegovina is making steady progress in utilising EU funding, there remains considerable potential for improvement. The Ministry announced that similar events will continue, aiming to ensure broader engagement and more effective use of the opportunities offered by EU programmes.

More about this event can be found on the LINK

Alongside the SPHERE 2025 Annual Conference that took place on 1–2 October 2025 in Bucharest, Romania,  The Bologna Process Symposium was held and bring together HERE and NEO representatives, as well as members of the Bologna Follow-Up Group (BFUG) and its working structures.

The symposium explored the mission, methods, and evolving priorities of the Bologna Process, with a focus on sharing experiences and promoting peer learning around higher education reform. Discussions highlighted the impact of Bologna-related policies on institutions and individuals, with input from HERE countries and reflections on outcomes from national events held earlier in the year.

As a key initiative for shaping the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the Bologna Process remains central to SPHERE’s activities. With many HERE countries either members of or aligned with the Process, the symposium also underscored its broader relevance to systems facing similar reform challenges.

This event forms part of a broader SPHERE 2022–2025 initiative, in which each HERE country hosts a Bologna-related national or regional event feeding into shared learning and policy development.