From 23 to 25 March 2026, the ACE²-EU Alliance convened a pivotal Stakeholder Engagement Workshop at Goce Delčev University (UGD) in Štip, North Macedonia. This three-day event brought together a diverse group of students, staff, and institutional coordinators to collaboratively refine and expand the alliance’s mobility framework. Following the stakeholder event, an International Managers Workshop allowed staff from International Relations Offices to translate these discussions into a consolidated roadmap, ensuring that the next generation of ACE²-EU activities is built directly on the feedback of its active participants.

While operational teams focused on the mobility experience, the Rectors of the ACE²-EU Alliance met concurrently to discuss the network’s long-term trajectory. Key discussions centered on strategic alignment and the potential establishment of a formal legal identity for the alliance. Moreover, a Data Protection Agreement was signed on this occasion to ensure the correct handling of personal data in accordance with EU regulations. Rector Peter Granig represented Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, underscoring the institution’s commitment to building a truly connected and entrepreneurial European University.

Meanwhile, several thousand kilometers further west and north, 27 alliance students participated in the first entrepreneurship traineeship organized by the ACE²-EU Entrepreneurship Academy. The programme was held simultaneously at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt in Germany, the Medical University of Gdańsk in Poland, and the Latvian Academy of Culture in Latvia. Students were able to choose their traineeship according to their preferred sectors and industries: Health Industry, Creative Industries, and Automotive Industry. All three traineeships aim to help students gain fundamental competencies in entrepreneurship and develop business ideas with expert guidance and input.