This year eucen has introduced a new initiative, the eucen Solidarity Fund, designed to support institutions that face structural, financial, or contextual barriers to full participation in European cooperation. The Fund embodies one of eucen’s core values: that meaningful collaboration in University Lifelong Learning (ULLL) should not be limited.

With the Solidarity Fund now being set into motion for the first time, eucen has selected three beneficiary institutions for 2026. They have been selected, in line with the objectives of the Solidarity Fund, for the structural, financial, or contextual constraints that affect their participation in the eucen network, as well as in recognition to their long-standing relationship and meaningful contribution to eucen’s activities and values.

The 3 selected institutions are:

Al-Quds Open University, Palestine

Al-Quds Open University is a former member of eucen, with a historical connection to the network built through its Continuing Education and Community Service Centre (CEC). For many years, the university was an active participant in the eucen community, contributing to shared initiatives and helping strengthen cooperation in the field of ULLL. In more recent years, structural and financial barriers have limited their international academic cooperation, and mobility has interrupted its formal membership. Its selection recognises both this long-standing participation in eucen and the exceptional circumstances that have kept it apart from the network they helped build.

University of Belgrade, Serbia

The University of Belgrade has sustained a long-standing and active collaboration with eucen, even though financial and structural constraints have never allowed it to hold formal membership. The university is widely recognised for its expertise in adult learning and ULLL policy development, and has consistently contributed to eucen’s activities and knowledge exchange over the years. This engagement owes much to the sustained involvement of key academic contributors, including Katarina Popović, whose work has helped keep the connection between the university and the eucen community strong.

Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM), Moldova

ASEM has played a significant role in developing University Lifelong Learning in Moldova, supported by an ongoing collaboration with eucen that has helped strengthen institutional LLL strategies. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to capacity-building in contexts where higher education institutions face real structural and financial constraints.

Looking ahead

These three institutions represent the first beneficiaries of the eucen Solidarity Fund, and mark the beginning of an initiative that eucen hopes to grow in the years to come. You can find more information on the Solidarity Fund, its objectives, and its beneficiaries here.