The European University for Well-Being, EuniWell, has been selected for funding in the ‘European Universities Initiative’ and will receive 5 million euros funding from the European Commission. The alliance formed of the Universities of Leiden, Semmelweis, Birmingham, Cologne, Florence, Linnaeus and Nantes hopes to now accelerate working towards their mission and deepen their collaboration. The partnership will develope an innovative model to foster new ways of co-creation in research and education through a range of knowledge exchange activities that will bring together students and staff from all seven institutions. The shared initiative will help the partnership drive transformation to support individual, social and environmental well-being in a global setting.

Further to the statement from the University of Leiden: EUniWell unites 244,000 students and 36,500 staff members. In coming together at this scale and reach, the seven partner universities of EUniWell recognise their responsibilities for training the next generation of Europeans, enabling scientific breakthroughs and ensuring successful knowledge transfer to benefit society as a whole. As Europe’s next generation, students are the core of the alliance and are involved in all its aspects including governance. 

EUniWell has established a network with 102 associated partners including the seven city councils as well as numerous academic institutions, educational, cultural, and health organizations and companies who support EUniWell’s vision and mission. 

EUniWell has identified four key areas for research and teaching, closely linked to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in which the partner universities have strong expertise and which, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, have gained additional urgency: 

• Well-Being & Health (SDG 3, Good Health & Well-Being)
• Individual & Social Well-Being (SDG 16, Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions)
• Environment, Urbanity & Well-Being (SDG 11, Sustainable Cities & Communities)
• Teacher Education (SDG 4, Quality Education)

Eurolife intents to cooperate with the activities of EUniWell, which are highly aligned with the vision, goals and objectives of the network.

Several other Eurolife institutions, including the Universities of Goettingen, Karolinska Institutet, Barcelona, Dublin, Strasbourg, Edinburgh are also members of other the European University Networks.