ChallengeEU

Shaping the future of European Higher Education together

The ChallengeEU Alliance brings together nine universities and universities of applied sciences from across Europe. Our mission is to foster sustainable, future-oriented cooperation and to transform European higher education institutions into open innovation ecosystems. The alliance aims to break traditional academic boundaries, create new forms of teaching, research, and knowledge transfer, and empower students as drivers of positive societal change.

With more than 83,000 students and 9,000 staff, ChallengeEU is committed to generating meaningful societal impact through innovative education, research, and collaboration. By connecting universities with industry, policymakers, and civil society, the alliance creates a diverse network

Hochschule Offenburg as part of ChallengeEU

ChallengeEU is funded through the European Commission’s “European Universities Alliances” initiative from 2024 to 2028. This flagship programme currently unites 65 alliances and more than 570 institutions across Europe. Its goal is to build strong, long-term partnerships based on shared values, to educate a new generation of Europeans who are open to collaboration, and to strengthen the role of universities in research, innovation, and societal development.

Hochschule Offenburg contributes its strong practice-oriented research profile, shaped by its location in Baden-Württemberg and the trinational border region of Germany, France, and Switzerland. This region is characterized by close cooperation between academia, industry, and research institutions, particularly in areas such as sustainable production, renewable energy, and innovative mobility. Through ChallengeEU, these regional strengths are embedded in a broader European innovation ecosystem, increasing research impact and visibility.

9 Partners, 1 Vision

ChallengeEU connects Hochschule Offenburg with:

  • ECAM La Salle, Lyon (France)

  • Universidade Europeia, Lisbon (Portugal)

  • Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Jelgava (Latvia)

  • Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall (Sweden)

  • University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Windisch (Switzerland)

  • South East European University, Tetovo (North Macedonia)

  • Universidad Europea, Valencia (Spain)

  • University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn (Poland)

 

What does it mean for Hochschule Offenburg to be part of the ChallengeEU alliance?

Students

Being part of the ChallengeEU European University Alliance gives students at Hochschule Offenburg access to a truly European learning experience. They benefit from diverse international study opportunities, including joint courses, virtual and blended classrooms, short-term mobility, and exchanges with partner universities across Europe. These experiences strengthen intercultural awareness, language skills, and academic flexibility.

Students can also actively shape the alliance by taking on roles such as Student Ambassadors or Student Council members, representing their universities at a European level. Through innovative, practice-oriented teaching and engagement with real-world challenges like sustainability, digital transformation, and social responsibility, ChallengeEU equips students with the skills and perspectives needed for a connected European labor market.

Staff

For academic and administrative staff, ChallengeEU creates new opportunities for international cooperation, professional development, and institutional innovation. Staff members can engage in joint curriculum development across different work packages, teaching collaborations, and shared administrative best practices with partner universities across Europe.

The alliance also supports staff mobility and peer learning, strengthening international competencies and fostering a shared European university culture. Through ChallengeEU, Hochschule Offenburg further enhances its role as a forward-looking institution committed to quality, innovation, and cross-border collaboration.

Research communities (mentorship programme reference)

ChallengeEU offers researchers at Hochschule Offenburg access to a strong European research network focused on addressing major societal challenges. The alliance facilitates joint research initiatives, interdisciplinary collaboration, and improved access to European funding opportunities.

Get involved!

We warmly invite students, staff, and external partners to participate. Join us at A213 on the Hochschule Offenburg campus at ChallengeEU x Engage - every Monday from 13:00 to 15:00. 

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ChallengeEU Team at Hochschule Offenburg

Our interdisciplinary team works across various fields to strengthen cooperation within the alliance. By combining expertise in internationalisation, innovation, sustainability, and institutional development, we create forward-looking projects and structures that support both Offenburg and the alliance as a whole.

  • Prof. Dr. Tobias Hagen - Vice Rector Internationalisation 

  • Sofiia Hecker - Secretary General

  • Ilona Maier - Open Innovation Manager

  • Daniel Walter - E-Campus Manager 

  • Fred Fellner - ODEI Officer 

  • Klara Wehrlein - Internationalisation Manager 

  • Ana Biljesko - Finance Officer 

  • Zina Qabbani - Communications Manager


You can contact the HSO ChallengeEU team here: challenge-eu@hs-offenburg.de