Access to higher education remains a critical yet underdeveloped pathway for refugees and displaced students across Europe. While EU programmes offer important opportunities, significant barriers persist in ensuring inclusive, sustainable, and scalable education pathways. Strengthening cooperation between policymakers, higher education institutions, and civil society is essential to advancing these efforts.
Against this backdrop, the Share HERCoN Final Conference, “Building Bridges to Higher Education: Advancing Education Pathways for Refugees,” will take place:
Where? Brussels
When? 13 October 2026
Time? 08:30 to 17:30.
Organised within the framework of the Share Network’s Higher Education for Refugees Cooperation Network (Share HERCoN), the conference will bring together policymakers, higher education institutions, civil society organisations, refugee-support actors, and other stakeholders from across Europe. Discussions will focus on how EU initiatives, particularly Erasmus+ and other funding instruments, can better support mobility and education pathways for refugees and students at risk.
The conference will be structured in two parts. The morning session, hosted at the European Parliament, will centre on policy discussions on the future of Erasmus+ and its role in supporting displaced learners. Contributions will include Members of the European Parliament, policymakers, higher education representatives, displaced students, and civil society actors.
The afternoon session will focus on implementation and practice. It will showcase education pathway programmes developed through the HERCoN project, highlighting lessons learned, shared challenges across national contexts, and recommendations for strengthening and expanding access.
Programme highlights include:
An introduction to the HERCoN project, including key results and developed resources
A policy panel on the future of Erasmus+ within the next Multiannual Financial Framework
Discussions on how EU funding can better support education pathways
Reflections from HERCoN partners and participants on promising and transferable practices
Exchanges on institutional, mobility, participation, and sustainability challenges
Breakout sessions on practical and technical aspects of programme implementation
Opportunities for networking and collaboration
The event is organised in collaboration with HERCoN partners and stakeholders, including ICMC Europe, the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, the University of Galway, UNHCR, Nexus 3.0, Université Clermont Auvergne, Caritas International, and Nasc – the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre.
A detailed agenda and further practical information will follow.
As space is limited, participants are encouraged to register their interest in advance: