With 14.4 million euros, the European Commission will continue to support EUniWell – the European University for Well-being – for the next four years. After a successful three-year pilot phase, the university alliance has grown from seven to eleven member universities from a total of eight different countries in Europe. In its application for further funding for the period 2023 to 2027, EUniWell plans to expand its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to promoting well-being in the areas of education, research, innovation, transfer and social engagement.

With the renewed support of the European Commission, EUniWell can build on what has been achieved so far – for example, on its already widely branched alliance-wide network, the seed funding programme, as well as various educational opportunities such as summer and winter schools, blended intensive programmes on well-being topics and the VOICE online course on ‘Decentering Epistemologies for Global Well-Being’ with various African partner universities.

EUniWell will thus develop into a sustainable European university, as ‘A Voice for Well-Being’, which focuses on the well-being of people, society and the environment. Chief Development Officer and Coordinator Professor Dr Beatrix Busse is enthusiastic about this success: “We are very grateful to the European Commission and the reviewers. This is a crucial moment for EUniWell, as we can now fully realize our vision of becoming a trailblazer in the field of well-being in Europe and globally. With the renewed support of the European Commission, we can build on the progress we have made in the first three years and further transform the impact we have in our institutions and in society as a whole. I would like to thank all partners and everyone for their incredible commitment. We can be proud of what has been achieved. We will now continue our path with EUniWell-specific co-creative enthusiasm.”

Over the next four years, EUniWell will continue to contribute to the transformation of universities through research into the multidimensional concept of well-being and its integration into the curricula. Well-being is one of the main objectives of the European Union, encompassing individual quality of life, social cohesion and ecological balance on a global level. EUniWell's multidisciplinary and intercultural approach aims to provide students, researchers, employees and society with the skills and knowledge needed to address the complex challenges of our world today, from individual mental health to global climate change.

The latest Erasmus+ call for proposals has provided a record sum of 402.2 million euros for the further development of the European University Initiative (EUI). The Rector of the University of Cologne, Professor Dr. Axel Freimuth, comments: “The University of Cologne, as the coordinating institution of EUniWell, is pleased to see the continuation of funding from the European Commission. For us, this decision is a recognition of our commitment to date and is also an incentive for us to shape a sustainable future through innovative research, education and cooperation with our partner universities.” The Managing Director for EUniWell, Dr. Graham Harrison, also thanked the European Commission for its continued support: “This funding will enable us to deepen our collaboration with our member universities and stakeholders and to advance our joint mission of creating a sustainable and balanced society of well-being. We are excited to be part of the European Higher Education Initiative and look forward to further opportunities that lie ahead.”
 

Media Contact:
Professor Dr. Beatrix Busse
University of Cologne
Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies
beatrix.busseuni-koeln.de

Press and Communications Team:
Eva Laurie
University of Cologne
EUniWell – European University for Well-Being
+49 221 470 76661
eva.laurieuni-koeln.de

Further information:
https://www.euniwell.eu/