At the end of October, the UNIgreen European University Alliance successfully held the 3rd Joint International Centre (JIC), meeting at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv (AUP), bringing together partners from across Europe for three days of collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning.
UNIgreen, The Green European University, unites eight higher education institutions dedicated to excellence in Sustainable Agriculture, Green Biotechnology, Environmental and Life Sciences. As the Alliance moves beyond its establishment phase, it continues strengthening its foundations while expanding its strategic ambitions for long-term impact in education, research, innovation, and community engagement.
A Three-Day Meeting Focused on Collaboration, Innovation & Sustainability focusing on:
Student Participation: A First for the JIC
For the first time, students from UNIgreen institutions took an active part in the JIC. Their contributions, ideas, and enthusiasm enriched discussions, strengthened the co-creation approach, and demonstrated UNIgreen’s commitment to inclusiveness and student-centred development. Their engagement marked a novel milestone for the Alliance.
Strengthening Governance & Alliance Communication
One key outcome of the JIC was the Agreement to hold more frequent Management Panel meetings, improving horizontal and vertical communication across the Alliance. This step will reinforce transparency, coordination, and coherence as UNIgreen enters a new phase of implementation.
Cultural Programme & Campus Experience
Participants had the opportunity to explore AUP and the region of Plovdiv. Activities included visits to university facilities, cultural sites, and opportunities to experience local traditions. These moments helped deepen ties among partner institutions, reaffirming the strong sense of community within the UNIgreen family.
A Renewed Commitment to a Sustainable Future
UNIgreen left Plovdiv with renewed momentum and shared purpose. The 3rd JIC reaffirmed the Alliance’s commitment to building a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive European University network, one that is ready to address the challenges of the green transition and shape the future of higher education in Europe.
JIC Programme
Day 1 – Celebrating Tradition and Innovation
The meeting opened with the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, under the motto “Traditions Meet Innovations.” Participants attended plenary sessions highlighting UNIgreen’s achievements and the collective progress toward becoming a leading European University in its field.
Working groups engaged in strategic discussions, reinforcing the Alliance’s shared mission and long-term vision.
Day 2 – Advancing Joint Work Across the Alliance
The second day was dedicated to teamwork and operational progress across all work packages. Over 100 participants collaborated on:
- advancing joint research initiatives through the Joint Research Centre;
- further developing joint, double, and European degree programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels;
- strengthening communication, dissemination, and student engagement across institutions;
- accelerating campus greening actions and sustainability commitments.
The meeting also highlighted the role of the newly established UNIgreen Clusters, bringing together researchers, students, and industry representatives. These clusters aim to reinforce regional impact, engage local communities, and prepare graduates for a rapidly evolving labour market.
Day 3 – Quality, Impact & the Future of UNIgreen
On the final day, partners engaged in sessions focused on:
- quality assurance and consistent monitoring of outputs;
- impact measurement for long-term sustainability;
- the workshop “Beyond Numbers: Driving Impact and Excellence Across Projects,” supporting a shift toward more strategic, meaningful, and evidence-based impact generation.
