EUTOPIA_HEALTH General Assembly in Ljubljana: Strengthening Collaboration for Health Research 

On 20–21 March, the University of Ljubljana welcomed representatives from across Europe for the second General Assembly of the EUTOPIA_HEALTH project, an initiative funded under the Horizon Europe framework. The gathering marked a key moment for the initiative, as partners reflected on the progress made during its first year and mapped out priorities for the future. 

EUTOPIA_HEALTH is all about boosting institutional support for research and innovation in health-related fields—particularly in the three “Widening” universities of the EUTOPIA alliance, in Romania, Slovenia and Portugal. By building bridges across institutions and countries, the project is helping to shape a dynamic and collaborative research environment where health innovation can thrive. 

Reflecting on the journey so far, Alina Marcoci, Project Manager at Babeș-Bolyai University, who coordinates the project, shared her thoughts on the growing cohesion within the consortium: 

“One of the most significant achievements of 2024 has been how our consortium has come together as a cohesive unit. We are not just individual institutions working in parallel but a network that actively collaborates to create meaningful results. This strong foundation will be key to advancing health research within and beyond the project.” 

Over the past year, the project has supported health research in many practical ways—offering mobility and networking opportunities, funding early-stage initiatives through seed grants, and fostering stronger links between academia, industry, and the wider public.  

Another recurring theme of the Assembly was the power of collaboration across European universities that share a common purpose. In this case, that purpose is clear: strengthening research and innovation in health.  

As Francisca Fonseca, Project Manager at NOVA University Lisbon, explained, this joint effort is already yielding results: 

“Researchers from the three Widening universities are receiving advanced training and dedicated support from VUB TechTransfer to strengthen their EU funding proposals. One researcher has already secured funding, highlighting the impact of this support in driving institutional transformation.” 

As the project looks to the future, its core mission remains unchanged: to build a lasting foundation for knowledge transfer, research, and innovation in health—one that continues to grow and evolve well beyond the project’s official end in 2028. 

Insitutional coordinator of the project on University of Ljubljana Prof. Dr. Nataša Poklar Ulrih explains:   

"This strategic inclusion facilitates robust networking and knowledge transfer, ensuring that best practices and cutting-edge research methodologies are shared across the alliance. The project's commitment to bridging gaps in health research and creating a collaborative environment that benefits all participating institutions".