The 2025 Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Higher Education programme has proposed 173 new projects for funding, aiming to enhance international cooperation in higher education. These projects are part of a broader effort to strengthen the global role of higher education institutions in tackling shared challenges and adapting to rapid changes in the education landscape.
The selected projects foster partnerships between higher education institutions in EU and associated countries, and institutions in other parts of the world. Together, they develop innovative teaching practices, train staff, and build institutional capacity. These collaborations are designed to help universities remain relevant and responsive in a world marked by technological advancement, climate change, and geopolitical shifts.
In line with global priorities and the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, these projects address major international challenges such as climate change, conflict, and workforce transformation driven by artificial intelligence. The programme aims to promote sustainable development, skills development, and resilience across partner countries.
This year’s cohort includes over 1,550 higher education stakeholders from nearly 125 countries, working together to modernise and internationalise educational systems. The projects also strengthen EU relations with partner countries beyond the education sector, contributing to diplomatic and development goals.
Key focus areas of the 2025 projects span a wide geographic and thematic range, including intelligent transport systems in the Western Balkans, energy-efficient building design in Neighbourhood East, and green and digital transitions in the maritime industry in the South Mediterranean. Other initiatives address issues such as ocean plastic in Asia, eco-informatics in Central Asia, and climate-smart farming in West Africa. Additional projects promote industry-linked skills in the Middle East, clean energy transitions in Southern Africa, and digital technologies for water education in Eastern Africa, among others.
