European University Continuing Education Network
Budget
€300 — €0
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
6
5.25 FTE
EU Grants
€205,270
Mission & Goals
EUCEN’s main aims are to contribute to the economic and cultural life of Europe through the promotion and advancement of lifelong learning within higher education institutions in Europe and elsewhere and to foster universities' influence in the development of lifelong learning knowledge and policies throughout Europe. To achieve these objectives, the association strives to: enable the exchange of experience and information between members on current lifelong learning regulations and policies and establish contacts with the relevant European bodies; provide contacts for members with lifelong learning policy makers and practitioners in a range of universities throughout Europe; seek to harmonise levels of quality for University Lifelong Learning (ULLL) among members and to maintain standards for effective monitoring; contribute to the development of an effective university credit transfer system that would be acceptable within the network; and seek to influence European polic (...)
EU Legislative Interests
Education and Training 2020 Europe 2020 Strategy Open up education Digital agenda for Europe (Grand coalition for digital jobs) Stronger VET for better lives EPALE platform EAfA - European Alliance for Apprenticeships 2030 Agenda for SDGs Up-skilling agenda University-Business forum Pact for Skills EQAVET EntreComp Upskilling pathways Cedefop EIT Health European Digital Education Hub
Communication Activities
EU-FUNDED PROJECTS (eucen as contractor): - COMMIT (Committing to the social dimension in universities) 539519-LLP-1-2013-1-BE-ERASMUS-ESIN https://commit.eucen.eu Final evaluation: 90% - HE4u2 (Integrating Cultural Diversity in Higher Education) 562237-EPP-1-2015-1-BE-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD https://he4u2.eucen.eu Final evaluation: 75% - VINCE (Validation for inclusion of new citizens in Europe) 580329-EPP-1-2016-1-BE-EPPKA3-IPI-SOC-IN https://vince.eucen.eu Final evaluation: 65% - ApprEnt (Refining HE apprenticeships with enterprises in Europe) 585163-EPP-1-2017-1-BE-EPPKA3-VET-APPREN - https://apprent.eucen.eu Final evaluation: 78% - UniLab (From universities to labour market in the 21st century: a step forward in work-based learning) 610245-EPP-1-2019-BE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP. This project will help to incorporate modern competencies and skills in current work-based learning programmes in AZ and BY, and expand international cooperation between universities and industry. https://unilab.eucen.eu Final evaluation: 59% - SMILE (Social Meaning Impact through LLL Universities in Europe) 621433-EPP-1-2020-1-BE-EPPKA3-IPI-SOC-IN. This Project aims to promote inclusive learning by developing, testing and implementing innovative tools that improve the way HEIs deal with diversity and social inclusion, especially in the areas of ethnicity, women in leadership and low socio-economic status. The Project will develop courses for HE staff, a Diversity Audit Tool and a Policy operational action plan for HEIs. https://smile.eucen.eu Final evaluation: 86% - SAMUELE (Self-Assessment Model for Universities Embracing LLL in Europe) 101184156-ERASMUS-EDU-2024-PCOOP-ENGO. This project aims to enhance the transparency and implementation of ULLL across European HEIs through a set of specific actions: analysis, development of a model, policy recommendations - https://samuele.eucen.eu Will end in February 2028. - MESHE (Microcredentials Exchange System for Higher Education in Europe) 101243057-ERASMUS-EDU-2025-PCOOP-ENGO. Contract in process to be signed. Plan to start in January 2026 RECENT EUCEN’S EVENTS: - 2022 eucen Autumn Seminar. ULLL as enabler of talent enhancement - Reskilling and upskilling to meet new demands. EJULL Vol 7 No1 https://doi.org/10.53807/07015bsl - 53rd eucen conference in Utrecht 2023 - University Continuing Education with Impact: The power of connection! EJULL Vol 7 No2 https://doi.org/10.53807/0702BSLx - 2023 eucen Autumn Seminar. Diversity in modern society - making inclusion a central strategy in our universities. EJULL Vol 8 No 1 https://doi.org/10.53807/0801ZDRx - 54th eucen conference in Cork 2024 - University Lifelong Learning leading positive change in challenging times. EJULL Vol 8 No 2 https://doi.org/10.53807/0802xY1z - EJULL Vol 9 No 1 - Contemporary Issues in ULLL – University lifelong learning and the quest for a greener future https://doi.org/10.53807/0901aB2c POSITION PAPERS https://eucen.eu/policy/position-papers/: - May 2025 | Position paper of eucen on Integrating Green Skills into University Lifelong Learning - August 2024 | Validation of non-formal and informal learning as a powerful tool for University Lifelong Learning in Europe - April 2024 | Position paper of eucen on the public consultation on Micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability: eucen and micro-credentials 2024 - December 2023 | Ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in University Lifelong Learning - March 2023 | Responsive ULLL: Making Flexible Learning a reality to sustain current needs in Europe and beyond - October 2021 | eucen and Lifelong Learning recent trends - July 2021 | eucen and Micro-credentials - June 2018 | eucen promoting the Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development
Interests Represented
Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members
Member Of
- The LLL Platform - ESREA (European society for research on the education of adults) - Organisations like universities, students associations, adult education, vocational education and training, voluntary sector, trade unions, etc. - Other European Higher Education networks or organisations like EUA, ENQA, EURASHE, EDEN, etc - National Networks of university lifelong learning (18 different networks) - EUCEN has collaborate with the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning recently in the publication of one of their monographs. They have been one of the keynote speakers at the Policy Talks mentioned above - GUNi, Chain5, Magna Charta Observatory, UPCEA, AAACE and EURAS with mutual membership between each of them and eucen More details are available online http://www.eucen.eu/alliances/
Organisation Members
Full updated list can be found here https://eucen.eu/about-eucen-2/members/ (last update in June 2025, after the General Assembly)
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.