The Annual Forum of the international European Campus of City-Universities (EC2U) Alliance took place on 19–22 May 2025 at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. The event brought together staff, students and stakeholders from member universities to discuss how to build a more sustainable future. In 2026, the Annual Forum will take place in Turku.
Organised under the theme Preparing Communities for a Sustainable Tomorrow, the Forum in Coimbra gathered more than 400 participants from across Europe. Participants had the opportunity to engage in topical discussions, plan future collaboration, and strengthen networks between the Alliance's universities and partners. From the University of Turku, 33 staff members and students took part in the Forum. The City of Turku was also represented by Mika Akkanen, Manager of International Affairs.
As part of the Coimbra Forum, the EC2U Alliance warmly welcomed its newest partner, Umeå University from Sweden. As the ninth member of the alliance, Umeå enriches EC2U’s activities and strengthens its capacity to offer new opportunities for its growing community.
Sustainability challenges formed the basis for discussions and ideas
This year, the EC2U Forum focused on two of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 13 (Climate Action). Participants had the opportunity to attend discussions, keynote sessions and thematic working group meetings, as well as network with peers.
Forum sessions addressed the role of higher education in combating climate change, collaboration between universities and cities, and student engagement in advancing sustainable development.
As part of the Forum programme, the Student Challenge brought together students in small groups to work on timely themes such as renewable and affordable energy solutions, sustainable urban mobility, and green campus initiatives. The results of their work were presented in the Voice of Students session.
During spring 2025, each EC2U member university also organised a local Think Tank on the theme Building Climate-Resilient Cities and Communities. The Coimbra Forum provided an opportunity to share the outcomes of these local discussions with a wider audience through university-specific exhibition stands that encouraged interaction and gamification.
The Forum also hosted the final of the EC2U Science Contest. Teams from the Universities of Coimbra, Pavia and Poitiers competed to develop solutions to questions submitted in advance by the public. This year, the winning team came from the University of Pavia in Italy.
Turku to host the 2026 Forum
The Coimbra Forum also served as a springboard for the next annual EC2U Forum, which will be organised in Turku on 18–21 May 2026. The event is expected to attract a large number of participants from member universities and cities across the Alliance. The 2026 forum will mark the tenth EC2U Forum, and preparations are already well underway in close cooperation with local stakeholders.
“The EC2U Forum is a great opportunity to showcase the strengths, infrastructure and research of the University of Turku to colleagues, to build connections and to strengthen networks. We warmly invite the whole University community to participate in the planning and the event itself,” says Project Manager Liisa Järvinen.
Photos: University of Coimbra / Universidade de Coimbra
