This project has received funding via the EUI Widening Programme call 2025. The EUI Widening Europe Programme initiative, backed by contributions from the European Union and EUI Contracting States, is designed to strengthen internationalisation, competitiveness, and quality in research in Widening countries, and thus foster a more cohesive European Higher Education and Research area.
STRIDE-UKR research project focuses on CIVICA for Ukraine as a model for strengthening resilience and integration within Ukrainian higher education through informal diplomacy and academic collaborations. By connecting Ukrainian and European universities, it enhances academic networks, cross-cultural understanding, and Ukraine’s integration into the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). A comprehensive evaluation will assess its impact on academic mobility, capacity-building, and the visibility of Ukrainian institutions within European networks.
The evaluation will be structured around several key research questions:
- What impact has CIVICA for Ukraine had on academic mobility for Ukrainian students and scholars? This question aims to explore the extent to which CIVICA for Ukraine has facilitated opportunities for Ukrainian academics to participate in European networks and benefit from mobility programs.
- How effectively does CIVICA for Ukraine foster cross-cultural engagement and collaborative learning? This question will assess how well the initiative promotes cultural exchange, shared learning experiences, and collaborative research opportunities between Ukrainian and European institutions.
- What are the main challenges faced by CIVICA for Ukraine in achieving sustainable integration of Ukrainian scholars within European academic networks? This question will identify barriers such as bureaucratic limitations, disrupted mobility due to conflict, and infrastructural gaps, with a view toward formulating solutions for overcoming these challenges.
- How can CIVICA for Ukraine expand its reach and impact within the EHEA? This question will focus on identifying strategies to scale the initiative, increase its visibility, and enhance its alignment with EU capacity-building and higher education standards.
The findings will guide recommendations for scaling the initiative, fostering sustainable collaboration, and advancing research on the role of university alliances.
For more information about the EUI Widening Europe Programme, please visit the official webpage.