The Universitat de València, as a member of the FORTHEM alliance, is one of the 261 institutions of the 30 European countries that signed the joint declaration "For an explicit recognition of European University Alliances as pillars of Europe's competitiveness, sovereignty and skills”, presented in September 2026.

The manifesto calls for the explicit recognition of the European University Alliances as pillars of competitiveness, sovereignty and skills development in Europe. It also highlights the role of universities in the construction of the European Education Area, the European Higher Education Area, and the European Research Area. 

The signatory institutions emphasise that the European university alliances are driving new models of transnational cooperation, connecting regional ecosystems of innovation and promoting the free circulation of knowledge and innovation across Europe. In addition, they underline their contribution to local and regional economic development, the strengthening of European values and identity, and the training of the talent needed to face industrial, technological, social and environmental challenges. 

The declaration calls on the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament to explicitly recognise and support the role and potential of the European University Alliances in the legislative texts that are currently under discussion, particularly in the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework and future European programmes.

By joining, the Universitat de València is incorporated to the signatory institutions of 30 European countries in advocating for a structural and sustainable role for university alliances in the future of higher education, research and innovation in Europe.

Consult the joint declaration and the complete list of the 261 signatory institutions.