From Brussels to the region: UASNL Board mission sharpens the European agenda

How Dutch universities of applied sciences are moving from reacting to shaping Europe’s evolving policy landscape.

On 19–20 March 2026, members of the executive boards of Dutch universities of applied sciences travelled to Brussels for a two‑day UASNL study and dialogue visit. Presented as a journey “from Brussels to the region”, the programme focused on how new EU policies and funding instruments intersect with national and regional priorities and how universities of applied sciences (UAS) can further strengthen their position as key actors within regional knowledge and innovation ecosystems.

The visit brought together board‑level perspectives and European stakeholders, creating space for strategic reflection on Europe’s future direction and the role of applied science within it.

Three goals: learning, positioning and connection
The programme was built around three interconnected objectives:

• Inform & Learn: deepening understanding of the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the European Competitiveness Framework (ECF), FP10 and other emerging EU policy developments.
• Bring & Lobby: strengthening the visibility of UAS contributions to regional development through European programmes and initiatives.
• Team‑building: reinforcing connections between executive board members across institutions and creating a shared perspective on European engagement.

Together, these goals underpinned a collective ambition: to move from ad‑hoc European participation to a more proactive and strategic positioning.

From participant to strategic player
Across meetings with representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, Neth‑ER and other Brussels‑based stakeholders, one message consistently resonated: Europe’s agenda is increasingly driven by security, competitiveness and resilience. Universities of applied sciences not only fit within this agenda—they have a distinctive contribution to make.

The visit highlighted the strength of UAS as connectors between education, applied research and regional innovation. By explicitly linking practice‑oriented research and skills development to European priorities such as talent development, societal impact and robust regional ecosystems, UAS can position themselves as strategic partners rather than programme participants.

Making better use of FP10, Erasmus+ and partnerships
Looking ahead to the 2028–2034 period, discussions focused on how Dutch universities of applied sciences can both influence and more effectively use Europe’s main funding programmes.

FP10 / Horizon Europe
This is a decisive phase for shaping the next framework programme for research and innovation. UASNL will continue to advocate “Impact Excellence” alongside “Scientific Excellence”, and for a structural position for applied research and universities of applied sciences within FP10 governance. Scaling up participation—particularly in Pillar II and III, fast‑track instruments, and demonstrator or living‑lab‑type actions—was identified as a key strategic priority.

European Partnerships
As European Partnerships become fewer and more strategic, careful prioritisation is essential. UASNL institutions are encouraged to focus investment where partnerships clearly support innovation, SME engagement and regional valorisation, and to actively pursue roles within advisory and governance structures.

Erasmus+ and the Union of Skills
From 2028 onwards, Erasmus+ is expected to provide expanded instruments for capacity building, European University Alliances, joint degree programmes and sector‑focused scholarships. Combined with the Union of Skills initiative, these opportunities can strengthen lifelong learning, the education–research nexus and regional skills agendas—provided that UAS translate alliance participation into tangible research cooperation and regional impact.

Regions, NRPP and place‑based coalitions
Discussions with the European Committee of the Regions emphasised the growing importance of place‑based policy and the role of National‑Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP) in aligning EU funding with regional priorities.

For UASNL institutions, this creates a dual responsibility:

• as knowledge partners within regional triple‑helix ecosystems, contributing to long‑term strategies and foresight; and
• as active actors towards Brussels, with a clear view of which EU programmes matter and how to access them through projects and partnerships.

The overarching conclusion was clear: institutions with a strong regional knowledge and innovation agenda, supported by solid coalitions, can use European instruments to accelerate their own strategic ambitions—rather than merely responding to initiatives “coming from Europe”.

From reacting to steering: next steps for UASNL
The visit also resulted in concrete suggestions for follow‑up. Brussels stakeholders encouraged UASNL to:

• Organise joint international events, for example with partner countries, bringing together MEPs, policymakers, SMEs, think tanks and universities of applied sciences around the value of applied science—potentially hosted at the Dutch Permanent Representation.
• Share best practices, showcasing tangible, practice‑based examples of regional impact that resonate strongly with the European Commission.
• Strengthen visibility through clear role‑sharing, maintaining a strong presence in both Brussels (EC, EP, CoR, DGs) and The Hague (ministries and Parliament), and making more consistent use of networks such as Neth‑ER, EURASHE and UAS4Europe.

A shared ambition
Above all, the Brussels mission confirmed that UASNL is ready to move from reacting to taking initiative. With a shared agenda, strong regional and European coalitions and enhanced visibility, Dutch universities of applied sciences are well positioned not only to follow Europe’s policy shifts, but to help shape them.