International networks
PIONEER alliance
PIONEER development work is carried out for students, creating opportunities for international studies and providing skills to operate in global labour markets.
Objectives of PIONEER collaboration
Laurea University of Applied Sciences is part of the PIONEER alliance formed by ten European universities. The alliance develops diverse and future-oriented educational offerings that respond to the competence needs of European cities in sustainable development and supports the capacities of students, experts, residents and urban actors to operate in a changing world.
Funded by the European Commission, the alliance cooperation in 2025–2028 supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal to make cities and communities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities). The alliance promotes concrete actions and solutions based on researched knowledge, strong expertise and European cooperation. The objectives are to develop:
- sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility solutions in cities
- urban safety and community cohesion
- an equal, non-discriminatory and open campus environment
- preparedness for future challenges and changes.
PIONEER for students
The PIONEER alliance offers students opportunities to learn and develop as part of a European university community. The collaboration brings new perspectives into studies and supports growth into a professional who can respond to sustainable development challenges in both local and international contexts.
PIONEER for staff
PIONEER opens up opportunities for university staff to develop their skills as part of European collaboration, where flexible forms of mobility are part of everyday life. PIONEER provides a strong platform for deepening international research, development and innovation activities.
PIONEER for partners
The PIONEER alliance builds broad regional and European ecosystem cooperation where universities, authorities, companies, organisations, funders and citizens meet around sustainable development challenges. The collaboration combines up-to-date research knowledge, multidisciplinary expertise and concrete development actions.
PIONEER alliance in numbers
Total students
130 000
Staff
17 500
Partners
10
Campuses in ten European countries
33
Alliance members
The PIONEER alliance’s member institutions represent both research universities and universities of applied sciences:
- Université Gustave Eiffel, France (coordinator)
- Avans Univeristy of Applied Sciences, Netherlands
- ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal
- Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Finland
- TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences, Germany
- University of Huelva (UHU), Spain
- Università Iuav di Venezia, Italy
- Tomas Bata University in Zlin (UTB), Czechia
- University of Žilina (UNIZA), Slovakia
- Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), Switzerland
Questions about PIONEER collaboration?
At Laurea, many people from different areas of responsibility participate in the cooperation. Feel free to contact the PIONEER team at pioneer@laurea.fi if you have any questions!
Find more information on the PIONEER alliance website and in the newsletter, which you can subscribe to below. You can also follow the alliance on social media:
