European Universities alliances gather in Granada for FOREU4ALL workshop on project management and impact

Arqus and the University of Granada will host the second transversal workshop of the FOREU4ALL Community of Practice on 16–17 April 2026 in Granada. The event will bring together around 140 participants from across the European Universities Initiative to explore how project management structures within alliances can be more effectively aligned with measurable impact.

The two-day workshop, titled “Aligning Project Management and Impact: A Practical and Strategic Dialogue for European University Alliances”, will foster collaboration between members of the Community of Practice’s topical groups on Project Management and Impact. By connecting these two areas, the programme aims to strengthen coordination, exchange good practices and support the long-term sustainability of European Universities alliances.

In addition to the participants attending in person, the plenary sessions will also be available online to ensure broad participation across the initiative.

Connecting strategy, management and impact

As European Universities alliances implement ambitious and long-term transformation agendas, ensuring that management practices are closely linked to impact objectives has become increasingly important.

However, these two dimensions often remain separated in practice, which can limit strategic coherence and reduce the visibility of results. The workshop in Granada will therefore create a shared space for project managers and impact specialists to exchange experiences and explore how their work can mutually reinforce the strategic goals of alliances.

“By bringing together project management and impact professionals, we aim to create the conditions for European Universities alliances to operate in a more coherent, strategic and sustainable way”, explains Glória Nunes Rodrigues, leader of the ENLIGHT Impact Task Force, co-Chair of the topical group on Impact and co-organiser of the workshop.

Similarly, Jonas Salz, Project Coordinator at YUFE Alliance, Chair of the topical group on Project Management and co-organiser of the event, highlights the importance of building common frameworks:
“By bringing our communities together, we are working to establish a shared language, clearer responsibilities and aligned processes that support both accountability and long-term ambition.”

A collaborative programme for peer learning

The workshop programme combines plenary discussions, training sessions, interactive workshops and peer-learning activities. Participants will work together to:

• Clarify roles, expectations and shared definitions related to project management, impact and performance reporting within alliances

• Explore synergies between management practices and impact approaches, supporting strategic alignment and continuous improvement

• Foster peer learning and co-creation, enabling participants to reflect on current practices and jointly develop a practical toolbox and roadmap for coordinated, impact-informed management across alliances

The event will also include interactive formats such as poster sessions and “walls of challenges and solutions”, encouraging participants to share experiences and identify common opportunities for collaboration.

Part of a wider series of FOREU4ALL workshops

The Granada meeting is the second in a cycle of eight transversal workshops organised by the FOREU4ALL Community of Practice between December 2025 and July 2028. These events bring together representatives from across alliances, external experts and key stakeholders to foster dialogue and stimulate cross-cutting innovation in European higher education.

Launched in 2019, the European Universities alliances are a flagship initiative of the European strategy for universities, encompassing 73 European Universities all across Europe. FOREU4ALL provides a collaborative and supportive platform where all alliances come together to share good practices, exchange experiences, and strengthen cooperation. The community fosters a deeper collaboration by facilitating learning, joint initiatives, and the dissemination of results – enhancing knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of the entire higher education sector.

Practical information including accommodation and social programme can be found at: FOREU4ALL Workshop Granada – 15-17 April 2026 / Granada – Spain