Erasmus+ INITIATION Project Launches with Online Kick-off Meeting

The Erasmus+ funded project INITIATION (dIgital traNsformatIon and green Transition of hIgher educATion InstitutiONs) officially launched with a successful online kick-off meeting on 25 -26 November, 2025. This marks the beginning of an inspiring journey aimed at supporting the digital and green transformation of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The project adopts a whole-institution approach, strengthening institutional capacity to design and implement forward-looking strategies that integrate sustainability and digital innovation.

INITIATION brings together a consortium including HEIs from Albania (European University of Tirana, University of New York Tirana), Bosnia and Herzegovina (University of Mostar, Univerzitet u Sarajevu), Austria (FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft m.b.H.) and Cyprus (University of Nicosia), as well as an international research centre (CARDET, Centre for the Advancement of Research and Development in Educational Technology), a Ministry of Education (Ministry of Education, Science, Sport and Culture of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton), chambers, industry and an NGO. Under the coordination of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (North Macedonia), INITIATION will provide:

  • Strategic recommendations based on state-of-the-art research with stakeholders
  • Formal blended training developed and delivered to 240+ faculty and academic leaders on green and digital competencies and decision-making on strategies and learning design, with an eLearning platform for flexible, hybrid and distant training
  • Informal learning with virtual and in-person mobilities and shadowing
  • Hackathons with 100 students.

Through these activities, the project aims to:

  • Increase the capacity of academic leaders to develop and implement forward-thinking digital and green strategies, as leaders in sustainable education and technological advancement
  • Enhance the capacity of faculty in designing interdisciplinary courses and activities that infuse digital and green skills, enriching learning effectiveness and labour market relevance
  • Improve HE students’ employability from participation in studies and mobilities that develop their green and digital skills in an integrated way, and
  • Establish participating HEIs in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina as regional role models in sustainable and digitally enhanced HE.

At the kick-off meeting, INITIATION partners from North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, and Cyprus gathered to discuss the project’s objectives, strategies, and upcoming activities. These discussions have set the stage for collaborative efforts for a digital and green transition in the regions of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The University of Nicosia is proud to contribute its expertise in eLearning, education, digital innovation, and research to INITIATION and looks forward to supporting HEIs in their digital and green transition journey. Specifically, UNIC is leading Work Package 2 (WP2), which focuses on the “State of the Art and Strategic Recommendations Roadmap.” In this capacity, UNIC is leading the development of the research protocols and guidelines that will shape the project’s foundation. Our team is coordinating the collection of EU best practices and multi-stakeholder focus groups to identify the specific digital and green competencies required for the future. This work will result in the Strategic Recommendations Roadmap—a comprehensive, action-oriented blueprint designed to guide HEIs through a successful transition in areas such as strategic vision, curriculum innovation, and sustainable infrastructure.

List of participating organisations:

  1. Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia, Coordinator
  2. University of Nicosia, Cyprus, Partner
  3. University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Partner
  4. European University of Tirana, Albania, Partner
  5. University of New York Tirana, Albania, Partner
  6. Univerzitet u Sarajevu, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Partner
  7. CARDET – Centre for the Advancement of Research and Development in Educational Technology, Cyprus, Partner
  8. FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft m.b.H., Austria, Partner
  9. Macedonian Chamber of Commerce Special, North Macedonia, Associated
  10. Association Citizens National Centre Development Innovation, North Macedonia, Associated
  11. Ledion Leka, Albania, Associated
  12. Durres Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Albania, Associated
  13. Chamber of Commerce of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Associated
  14. Chamber of Economy of Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Associated
  15. Ministry of Education Science Sport and Culture of Herzegovina Neretva Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Associated

Project Details:

  • Project Reference: 101237566
  • Project Duration: 36 months
  • Start date: 01-11-2025, End date: 31-10-2028
  • Programme: Erasmus+
  • Topic: ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE-STRAND-2
  • Key Action: Partnerships for cooperation and exchanges of practices
  • Action Type: Capacity Building in higher education