ACE2-EU European University

Goce Delcev University Hosts International BIP Project Exploring Art as a Tool for Social Change

IOBDSRTsIKgYUTrfYf — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:28:05 +0000

Goce Delcev University (UGD) has officially launched the physical mobility phase of the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) titled “Art and Choreography as a Tool for Social Transformation,” running from August 31 to September 4, 2026. Held under the umbrella of the ACE²-EU European Alliance, the initiative brings together nearly 17 students and academic mentors from across Europe to address labor rights and social issues through interdisciplinary art.

The programme, coordinated by UGD, unites participants from the host institution, Spain’s Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV), and the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC). Using testimonies and archival materials provided by the civil organization KUC Tekstil, the international student ensemble is developing performance pieces, visual art, and written work inspired by the lived experiences of textile workers.

Organizers emphasized the hands-on, collaborative nature of the program. Representatives from the host faculty noted that students from various alliance universities are actively engaging in intensive workshops leading up to a final public presentation scheduled for Friday, September 4. Visiting faculty and students from the Latvian Academy of Culture expressed strong enthusiasm for the opportunity to exchange ideas, build professional networks, and cross traditional artistic boundaries.

The initiative will culminate in a public performance-installation and exhibition at the Youth Cultural Center (MKC) in Skopje on Friday. The final event will allow the public to engage directly with worker rights narratives translated into contemporary movement and visual medium. Participating students will earn 3 ECTS credits upon completion, along with practical experience in community-based artistic activism.

Working Together for Gender Equity | ACE²-EU Knowledge Creation Team Workshop

IOBDSRTsIKgYUTrfYf — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:33:50 +0000

In April 2026, students, academic staff, and external partners from all nine ACE²-EU alliance universities gathered at the Latvian Academy of Culture in Riga for the first ACE²-EU Social Impactors Knowledge Creation Team Workshop, dedicated to Gender Equity.

Over three days, participants worked in international and transdisciplinary teams to explore challenges related to gender equity and equality, exchange experiences, and co-create practical solutions that could be applied at local, national, and European levels.

The collaborative process resulted in more than 20 proposed activities and five action plans addressing key challenges – from access to support and financial education to gender-based violence, equal pay, and community education on the legal framework.

The workshop marked the beginning of the ACE²-EU Social Impactors Knowledge Creation Team Workshop series, which continues to address key societal challenges within the SPACE Centre: Culture & Diversity, Social Well-being, Respect & Dignity, and Gender Equity.

Watch the video for a look back at three days of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and co-creation at the Latvian Academy of Culture.

#ACE2EU #GenderEquity #EuropeanUniversities #HigherEducation #KnowledgeCreation #SocialImpact

Students Wanted to Develop the ACE²-EU Virtual Escape Room

Franziska — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 08:21:44 +0000

For the European university alliance ACE²-EU, we are looking for students who would like to help further develop our existing Virtual Escape Room.

The Escape Room has been created in Unity and allows users to explore our partner universities in a playful and interactive way. We already have three completed university rooms:

MUG – Medical University of Gdańsk
THI – Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt
CUAS – Carinthia University of Applied Sciences

Our aim is to gradually expand the Escape Room by adding around two new university rooms each year, depending on student interest and availability.

For this year, we would especially like to start developing rooms for our partner universities in Madrid, Spain, and Romania.

What would you work on?

You would design and develop a virtual room for one of the partner universities. This includes:

researching the university, its region and cultural characteristics
developing a suitable room concept and short storyline
creating interactive elements and Escape Room puzzles
designing and building the 3D environment in Unity
implementing interactions such as clickable objects, codes, doors and hidden clues
integrating the new room into the existing ACE²-EU Virtual Escape Room
testing and improving the overall user experience

You would not be starting from scratch: the existing Escape Room and the rooms for MUG, THI and CUAS can be used as a technical and creative basis.

What skills would be useful?

Ideally, you already have some experience with Unity, particularly with:

creating and editing 3D scenes
GameObjects, Prefabs and Colliders
simple animations and interactions
Unity UI
basic C# programming
importing and working with 3D models, textures and other assets

Experience with WebGL would be an advantage, as the Escape Room is hosted online and played directly in a web browser.

We are also looking for students who are interested in UX/UI design, game design, storytelling and 3D environments, and who enjoy developing creative ideas for an international university project.

Why take part?

This is an opportunity to contribute to a real international project within the ACE²-EU Alliance. Your work would not remain a university exercise: the finished room could become part of the official Virtual Escape Room and be used by students and staff across the alliance.

The project combines UX design, 3D design, storytelling, game design and technical implementation in Unity, while also giving you the opportunity to work with an international and intercultural context.

Contact: Franziska.hegner@thi.de

From Asset Recovery to Victim Support: ACE²-EU Virtual Coffee #28 Explores How Justice Can Go Beyond Confiscation

IOBDSRTsIKgYUTrfYf — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:10:20 +0000

Can asset recovery do more than deprive criminals of illicit profits? Can confiscated assets become instruments for restoring justice and supporting victims? These were the central questions explored during the latest ACE²-EU Virtual Coffee, an online event that brought together legal experts, academics, students, public authorities, and civil society representatives to discuss one of the least explored dimensions of asset recovery: victim compensation.

The event highlighted that while confiscating criminal assets is a cornerstone of the fight against organised crime, ensuring that victims receive timely and effective compensation remains a shared challenge across Europe. Through expert presentations and an interactive discussion, participants examined practical solutions, national experiences, and opportunities for stronger European cooperation.

The first keynote speaker, Alexandra Cristea, Asset Tracing and Asset Management Inspector at the National Agency for the Management of Seized Assets (ANABI), Romania, shared Romania’s experience in developing an integrated asset recovery system that combines effective confiscation with social reinvestment. Drawing on nearly twenty years of experience in public administration, European-funded programmes, and institutional cooperation, she presented the work of ANABI in coordinating projects financed through European funds and the National Crime Prevention Support Mechanism.

Her presentation demonstrated how confiscated criminal assets can be transformed into resources that directly benefit society. Participants learned about Romania’s National Crime Prevention Support Mechanism, through which revenues generated from confiscated assets are reinvested in legal education, crime prevention initiatives, victim support services, and projects implemented by civil society organisations. Concrete examples illustrated how confiscated properties have been converted into educational institutions, social care facilities, and public infrastructure, reinforcing public confidence in the justice system while supporting vulnerable communities.

Alexandra Cristea also highlighted ANABI’s commitment to promoting innovative approaches that transform recovered criminal assets into tangible benefits for victims, communities, and society as a whole, demonstrating how asset recovery can extend well beyond criminal proceedings to generate lasting social impact.

The second keynote speaker, Andreea Maria Voicu, legal expert in gender equality, non-discrimination, and victim protection, focused on the legal framework for victim compensation and the broader support mechanisms available to victims of violent crime. Having worked within the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) and coordinated programmes addressing gender-based violence in cooperation with UNICEF Romania and the ADEPT Association, she brought extensive expertise in victim-centred public policies and legal protection.

Her presentation explained Romania’s mechanisms for financial compensation available to victims of serious crimes, including emergency financial assistance and state compensation when offenders are unable to fulfil court-ordered obligations. She emphasised that financial compensation is only one component of an effective support system, which must also include legal assistance, psychological counselling, social services, and close cooperation between institutions and civil society organisations.

Drawing on practical examples, Andreea Voicu also presented the important role played by NGOs in supporting victims of domestic violence, trafficking, and gender-based violence. She highlighted how multidisciplinary cooperation involving lawyers, psychologists, social workers, educators, and healthcare professionals contributes to empowering victims and facilitating their recovery.

An important part of the discussion focused on Romania’s recent legislative developments concerning femicide, presented as an example of how sustained collaboration between researchers, civil society organisations, legal professionals, public institutions, and policymakers can lead to meaningful legal reforms that strengthen the protection of victims and improve access to justice.

The debate that followed reflected participants’ strong interest in the Romanian model and its potential relevance at European level. Discussions explored opportunities for expanding cooperation between public institutions, universities, and international NGOs, as well as the possibility of developing future partnerships under programmes supporting crime prevention, legal education, and victim assistance.

ARC KCTW #4: Project Ideas to Strengthen Europe’s Digital Future

IOBDSRTsIKgYUTrfYf — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:23:53 +0000

Târgu Jiu, Romania – 6–8 July 2026

The 4th ARC Knowledge Creation Team Workshop (KCTW) focusing on Cybersecurity & Digital Sovereignty has concluded with five innovative project ideas focusing on data protection, security, and enhancing industry applications.

During the workshop, two project ideas were ideated in groups and discussed, while three additional ideas were proposed. All five ideas will continue to be developed beyond the workshop, with teams deciding on progressing and submitting to relevant funding calls.

Days 2 & 3: From Concept to Proposal

Day 2 began with NCC-RO sharing examples of successful project proposals, followed by intensive sessions on Project Proposal Design, covering goals, specific objectives, and approaches. Participants then focused on identifying resources, stakeholders, and timelines, before defining work packages and posters. The afternoon featured poster presentations and team-building activities.

Day 3 was dedicated to proposal presentations and peer feedback, allowing teams to refine their ideas through constructive critique. The workshop concluded with closing remarks and a recap, followed by a UCB campus tour.

Voices from the Workshop

Participants reflected on the power of connection:

“You can have friends. You can work. But sometimes it does not matter. What is important is the connection, because it opens future possibilities.” — Dariusz Szplit, Manager, University Clinical Centre in Gdańsk

“The event was very structured and well designed. Although we were there to work, it was never made boring. You can discuss a lot during the workshop time, but the real connections and discussions were happening outside the work time, especially when we had the walk in the mountain or over dinner.” — Mohammad Chaoui, Researcher, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt

The ideas generated at ARC KCTW #4 will now advance to the next phase, with teams finalising proposals and preparing submissions to funding calls. This marks a significant step in addressing Europe’s digital challenges through collabora

Bringing European Values to Life Across the ACE²-EU Alliance

adminucb — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 09:12:05 +0000

European values are more than principles, they are the foundation of inclusive, democratic, respectful, and connected university communities.

As part of the activities developed within WP6, the ACE²-EU European University Alliance is pleased to present two new practical resources: the ACE²-EU Values Brochure and the ACE²-EU Values Idea Box.

The ACE²-EU Values Brochure provides a clear and accessible overview of the fundamental values that guide our Alliance: democracy, human dignity, freedom, equality, the rule of law, human rights, peace, and solidarity. It also offers practical guidance on how these values can be integrated into teaching and learning, mobility programmes, governance, volunteering, research, innovation, and other Alliance activities.

Complementing the brochure, the ACE²-EU Values Idea Box transforms principles into action. It includes creative ideas and practical activities that partner universities can adapt and implement on their campuses, from workshops, debates, exhibitions, cultural events, and student-led initiatives to volunteering activities and community engagement projects.

Together, these resources encourage students, academic and administrative staff, and local communities to explore, discuss, promote, and actively apply European values in everyday university life.

Each ACE²-EU partner university will select and implement at least one activity dedicated to promoting European values. These initiatives will also contribute to the future ACE²-EU Values Week, bringing our university communities together through shared values, creativity, dialogue, and meaningful action.

Because European values are not only principles we share, they are values we learn, practise, and bring to life together.

Urban Canvas: Community Art & Cultural Volunteering in Târgu Jiu 🎨

adminucb — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 07:22:04 +0000

Our students came with paintbrushes. They left a legacy.

Look closely at this wall. This isn’t just paint, it’s proof of what happens when students from different countries, different cultures, and different languages come together with one shared goal: to leave something behind that matters.

A team of ACE²-EU volunteers from Romania and Portugal took on the main hall of Universitatea Constantin Brâncuși from Târgu Jiu and turned a blank, empty wall into an explosion of colour, character, and creativity. Hours of work. Countless brushstrokes. Zero hesitation.

And now? It’s permanent. Every student who walks past this wall today, next year, ten years from now will see it. They won’t know all the details, but they’ll feel it: something real happened here. Something bold.

This is what real volunteering looks like. Not just visiting but belonging. Not just passing through but leaving a mark that outlasts the programme, the semester, even the years.

Some things fade. This one stays.

Health, Prevention and Solidarity: Community Volunteering with Red Cross Gorj ❤️‍🩹

adminucb — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 19:03:38 +0000

Some skills are too important to keep to ourselves – knowing how to save a life is one of them.

Through this project, our Polish and Romanian student volunteers, guided by one of the most experienced volunteers at the Romanian Red Cross – Gorj Branch, Grigore Richter, didn’t just learn first aid; they became a bridge between knowledge and community.

They trained to help children and adults in emergencies. They learned how to respond to drowning , how to recognize cardiac arrest , how to perform CPR , and which numbers to call when every second counts .

And then they did something even more meaningful: they turned around and taught it to others. In a dedicated session with vulnerable elderly members of our community in Târgu Jiu, our volunteers shared this knowledge with warmth and patience, because prevention only works when it reaches the people who need it most.

This is what real impact looks like: young people stepping up, a community growing stronger, and a partnership with the Red Cross that turned training into action.

We are proud of what our volunteers achieved here and even prouder of what this means for Târgu Jiu going forward. A community that knows how to respond in an emergency is a community that protects its own.

Thank you to the Romanian Red Cross – Gorj Branch for making this possible , and to every volunteer who showed up ready to learn and ready to give back.

Day 3 – Learning Beyond the Classroom: Outdoor Adventure and Mountain Safety

adminucb — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 06:18:51 +0000

The third day of the Flavour School courses, Leisure Sports Activities: From Adventure to Responsibility in Promoting and Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle and Active Aging, brought participants to the spectacular mountain landscape of Rânca, Gorj for a day dedicated to outdoor activities, resilience, and experiential learning.

Although the weather was less than ideal, the rain did not stop participants from fully engaging in the planned programme. Equipped with enthusiasm and a positive attitude, they took part in a series of practical activities, including hiking, the zip line, and the ropes course, discovering how outdoor sports contribute to physical fitness, mental well-being, and personal confidence.

A key highlight of the day was the educational session delivered by the Salvamont Gorj rescue team. Participants gained valuable knowledge about mountain safety, risk prevention, first aid for minor injuries, and emergency response, learning essential skills that can make outdoor activities both safer and more enjoyable.

The day concluded with a reflection session, where participants shared their experiences and discussed the importance of resilience, teamwork, and responsible behaviour in outdoor environments.

Day 3 demonstrated that meaningful learning is not limited by weather conditions. On the contrary, overcoming challenges together strengthened participants’ confidence, cooperation, and appreciation for nature, while reinforcing the central message of both courses: an active lifestyle, combined with responsibility and mutual support, is the foundation of healthier individuals and stronger communities.

Santarém Polytechnic University hosts “Train the Trainers – Changemaker Ambassador Programme” from ACE²-EU European University

adminucb — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 19:46:47 +0000

Yesterday, Santarém Polytechnic University launched the “Train the Trainers – Changemaker Ambassador Programme,” which is taking place at the Resource Centre of the Santarém Polytechnic University’s School of Education, bringing together participants from different institutions within the scope of the ACE²-EU European University.

The first day was marked by a welcome session and an introduction to the program, followed by an integration activity that promoted networking among participants and encouraged the sharing of experiences. During the morning, a workshop dedicated to the Theory of Change was also held, addressing methodologies for promoting social change and impact.

In the afternoon, participants completed a self-assessment exercise and took part in a session dedicated to systems thinking and problem-solving, ending the day with a collaborative work session to plan the upcoming editions of the Changemaker Ambassador programme.

#IPSantarém #ACE2EU #HigherEducation #Internationalization