EUTOPIA’s Educational Model and the EUTOPIANISATION Process

 
EUTOPIA has developed an innovative educational model centred around Connected Learning Communities. These communities, led by partner universities, include members from various EU and global institutions, fostering a collaborative environment for educators, researchers, and students. The model emphasises a bottom-up approach, encouraging educators to take on leadership roles and engage in peer mentoring activities. This structure promotes transnational collaboration and prepares educators for leadership positions within the Learning Communities.
 
During a recent meeting in Brussels, Jan Danckaert, Jo Angouri and Mattia Bellotti met with the Cabinet of the European Commission’s Executive Vice President Roxana Mînzatu. Vanessa Debiais-Sainton (Member of Mînzatu’s Cabinet) and Ioana Dewandeler (Policy Officer at DG EAC). EUTOPIA presented its educational model, highlighting its alignment with the European Commission’s Union of Skills. The model’s benefits were showcased, including its impact, scalability, and sustainability. A key focus was the EUTOPIANISATION process, developed with support from partner universities’ quality and curriculum planning teams. This process has led to the creation of two recognition tools: the EUTOPIA Label and EUTOPIA micro-credentials.
 
The EUTOPIA Label acknowledges learning outcomes at the curriculum component level within the partnerships, while the micro-credentials recognise specific cross-campus activities completed by students.
 
These tools embed and acknowledge the added value of connected activities within the standard offerings of EUTOPIA universities. Looking ahead, EUTOPIA is committed to transitioning from a modelling phase to implementation. This involves deepening stakeholder partnerships, developing learner outreach strategies, and establishing institutional frameworks to scale the impact of their educational offerings.
 
For further details, visit EUTOPIA’s approach to micro-credentials.