EUniWell – The European University for Well-Being

The twelve universities that are part of EUniWell are: 

• University of Birmingham, Great Britain
• University of Cologne, Germany
• University of Florence, Italy
• University of Konstanz, Germany
• University of Murcia, Spain
• University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
• Inalco (Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales) in Paris, France
• Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
• Nantes University, France
• Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary
• Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine
• Linnaeus University in Kalmar and Växjö, Sweden

In addition, there is a network consisting of associated partners, including the municipalities of the cities in question, and a number of academic institutions and organisations within education, culture and health, as well as companies, that support EUniWell’s vision.

Common vision

Bringing together higher education institutions with a shared vision, EUniWell works to understand, improve, measure and rebalance wellbeing for individuals, our communities, our environment and society at large. This work takes place at regional, European and global levels. It is grounded in our shared values of being democratic, inclusive, research‑ and challenge‑based, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, entrepreneurial and co‑creative.

EUniWell Arenas

EUniWell works through five Arenas – key areas that connect research and education with well-being. These Arenas are at the heart of EUniWell’s activities and bring together expertise from across its universities.

An Arena is a collaborative network where researchers, students, and professionals from different disciplines work together on a shared topic. The format is open and flexible, encouraging co-creation in international and interdisciplinary teams. Each Arena is linked to specific UN Sustainable Development Goals and to fields where EUniWell universities have strong knowledge and experience.

EUniWell focuses on five Arenas where EUniWell can have the most significant impact:

Health and Well-Being

This arena promotes health and well-being for all. Uniting researchers, students, and civil society, we tackle challenges from migration, demographic shifts, and technological change through a proactive, integrated approach that promotes health, prevents chronic disease, and supports sustainable healthcare systems.

How can international collaboration contribute to better health and sustainable healthcare systems? Per Enarsson shares insights from the Health arena and how research, education and societal actors work together.

Meet Per Enarsson – about the work within the arena

As contact person for EUniWell Arena Health at Linnaeus University, he works to develop collaboration between researchers and partner universities across Europe.

– A large part of the work involves identifying opportunities for collaboration and connecting colleagues at Linnaeus University with international partners.

The focus is on population health, particularly the life situation of older people – a shared challenge across many European countries. Through EUniWell, universities can compare approaches, share knowledge and jointly develop new solutions.

Per Enarsson Joakim Palmqvist

At Linnaeus University, this work is closely linked to research and education in health and welfare. Collaboration with the surrounding society is central, with projects where academia, municipalities and healthcare providers work together on initiatives that have a direct impact on people’s everyday lives.

Examples include initiatives that promote lifelong learning and explore how universities can become more inclusive for different age groups. There are also collaborative projects aimed at strengthening care and support for older people.

– The more we get to know our partners, the more opportunities we see to develop joint projects that make a real difference.

Social Equality and Well-Being

Here, we explore well-being from a global perspective, focusing on human rights, citizenship, security, and peace. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we advance inter-disciplinary research and policy solutions addressing challenges to well-being at regional, national, and international levels.

Environmental Change and Well-being

Being In this arena, we address climate change and protection to build sustainable, safe, and inclusive environments. Bringing together experts in economics, social sciences, agriculture, and biology, we offer a comprehensive approach to understanding and solving environmental issues.

What does it take to tackle climate and environmental challenges together? Ran Friedman shares perspectives from the Sustainability arena and how different disciplines collaborate to find solutions.

Meet Ran Friedman – about the work within the arena

As contact person for the EUniWell Sustainability Arena at Linnaeus University, he works to develop collaboration between researchers and partner universities in the fields of environment and well-being.

– A key part of the role is to create connections where researchers and educators can meet, exchange ideas and develop joint initiatives.

The arena focuses on the relationship between environmental change and well-being, addressing themes such as climate change, climate adaptation and how urban environments affect quality of life. It brings together different areas of expertise – from Linnaeus University’s research on the Baltic Sea to other partners’ work on cities, health and sustainable societal development.

Ran Friedman Joakim Palmqvist

At Linnaeus University, the work involves linking these perspectives within an international context. Through EUniWell, there are opportunities to further develop both research and education in collaboration with other universities, for example through joint courses, research initiatives and knowledge exchange.

Examples include student-led collaborations on sustainable campus environments, teaching connected to the New European Bauhaus, and the development of courses in environmental humanities. This involves combining perspectives from the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities to better understand and address sustainability challenges.

– Through EUniWell, we are able to bring together different areas of expertise and work collaboratively on issues that are important both locally and globally.

Culture, Multilingualism and Well-being

We advance culture and multilingualism as pillars of social well-being. By encouraging the use and teaching of regional, minority, and migrant languages and highlighting the value of plurilingual and intercultural education, we foster personal growth and social bonds as well as social dialogue and cohesion.

How do language and culture contribute to well-being and society? Corina Löwe talks about work on multilingualism, inclusion and intercultural understanding.

Meet Corina Löwe – about the work within the arena

As contact person for the EUniWell Culture and Language Arena at Linnaeus University, she works to develop collaboration around multilingualism, culture and intercultural understanding in an international context.

– A key part of the role is to create opportunities for colleagues and students to meet and develop joint initiatives across languages and disciplines.

The arena focuses on how language and culture shape collaboration, learning and well-being. Key areas include the role of multilingualism in education and research, intercultural communication, and how linguistic diversity can strengthen both knowledge development and social cohesion.

Corina Löwe Johannes Rydström

At Linnaeus University, this involves connecting language and cultural expertise to a broader European context. Through EUniWell, both education and research are developed, for example through joint courses, academic networks and new forms of collaboration across disciplines.

Examples include language tandems where participants learn from each other across national borders, courses in multilingualism and intercomprehension, and initiatives highlighting the role of language in societal development and international contexts. These activities create opportunities for both students and staff to develop language skills and intercultural competence in practice.

– By working with language and culture in an international perspective, we can both strengthen our own activities and contribute to better understanding and collaboration between people.

Teacher Education and Well-being

Here, we prepare and support teachers to tackle the challenges of modern classrooms and societies. By placing well-being at the heart of educational transformation for both learners and teachers, we aim to address global teacher shortages while promoting an international curriculum focused on inclusion, guidance, sustainability, digitalisation, democracy, and health. 

How can teacher education respond to the challenges of the future? Mattias Lundin and Alexandra Holtti describe their work to develop education with a focus on well-being, inclusion and sustainability.

Meet Mattias Lundin and Alexandra Holtti – about the work within the arena

As contact persons for the EUniWell Teacher Education Arena at Linnaeus University, they work to develop collaboration between universities, schools and societal partners within teacher education.

– A key part of our role is to create opportunities for teachers, researchers and students to meet and develop joint initiatives across national borders.

The work focuses on how teacher education can address key societal challenges, with themes such as inclusion in the classroom, multilingualism, digitalisation and the role of education in strengthening democratic values. Different perspectives from European universities come together to develop both teaching and research.

Alexandra Holtti och Mattias Lundin Joakim Palmqvist

At Linnaeus University, this collaboration connects teacher education to a broader international context. Through EUniWell, there are opportunities to develop joint courses, collaborate on research and provide students with international experiences.

Examples include international seminars for teacher educators, joint projects between universities and partner schools, and activities where student teachers engage in exchanges and collaborations related to teaching in different European contexts. This helps strengthen both teacher education and its connection to school practice.

– Through collaboration, we can develop our own programmes while contributing, together with others, to the future of education.

Interested in collaborating within EUniWell?

Seedfunding within EUniWell

EUniWell’s Seed Funding Programme supports small-scale collaborative projects initiated by students, researchers, teachers and professional staff across the partner universities. The aim is to develop new ideas and strengthen cooperation that contributes to well-being within universities and in society.

The programme welcomes projects linked to EUniWell’s work on health, education, social and cultural inclusion, environmental sustainability and institutional development, with particular attention to the five Thematic Arenas.

Calls are launched twice a year and are jointly funded by all partner universities. To be eligible, a project must involve at least four EUniWell universities. Selected projects can receive up to €25,000 for a duration of up to twelve months.

A seed funding idea that grew – Daniel Silander on democracy work in Ukraine

Daniel Silander Anders Runesson

EUniWell’s seed funding can give researchers the opportunity to develop collaborations that grow over time. One example is the project Education for Democratic Citizenship, led by Daniel Silander, Associate Professor of Political Science.

In the interview, he describes how the work began and the impact the project has had – a clear example of what small-scale seed funding can lead to.

Read the interview with Daniel Silander:
https://lnu.se/en/change/area-of-strength-core-of-welfare/the-struggle-for-change-and-a-democratic-ukraine/

EUniWell Work Packages and Coordination

More information

• Explore EUniWell for students on Linnaeus University's student webpage
• To the website EUniWell.eu
• Subscribe to the EUniWell Newsletter 
• About the European Universities on the Swedish Higher Education Authority’s website (in Swedish)
• About the European Universities Initiative on the European Commission’s website