Addressing Geopolitical Crises: The 5th EU4EU Staff Mobility Concludes in Lisbon

The fifth EU4EU Staff Mobility, organized by EuGen – European Generation in collaboration with the EU4EU Portuguese consortium ISG – Business and Economics School, took place in Lisbon on 16th, 17th, and 19th June 2025. The event brought together representatives from the EU4EU consortia in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and France to discuss a highly relevant topic: the impact of geopolitical crises on study and internship opportunities abroad.

In the face of growing global instability, armed conflicts, and increasingly complex transnational challenges, the training sessions offered a concrete opportunity to explore shared strategies to ensure the continuity, safety, and resilience of international mobility programmes. Participants examined effective institutional responses implemented in past crises, including the creation of dedicated crisis task forces, activation of emergency funding, adoption of flexible learning agreements, and the use of digital tools to maintain continuity in mobility flows even under difficult circumstances.

The event featured key academic and institutional contributions from Prof. Alexandra O’Neill (ISG), Prof. Liliana Reis, member of the Portuguese Parliament, and Prof. Susana Rogeiro Nina, PhD, from Universidade Lusófona. Their insights enriched the discussions with broader reflections on European education policy and the need for more agile and responsive international governance models.

Future-oriented discussions focused on how to make Erasmus+ more crisis-proof, with ideas ranging from the structural integration of virtual or blended mobility, to real-time mobility monitoring systems and mutual support protocols among higher education institutions.

A particularly valuable aspect of the initiative was the direct collaboration between partner universities, which enabled open exchange of experiences, best practices, and practical solutions. This moment of shared reflection further strengthened the EU4EU network, laying the foundation for joint efforts toward a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient model of international mobility.

We sincerely thank all participants and guest speakers for their valuable contributions and active engagement throughout the event.