Strengthening the Erasmus+ Alumni Voice: ESAA MoU Signed at ESAA Annual Meeting 2026 in Brussels
Updated: Feb 9
Brussels, Belgium | 26-28 January 2026
The Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA) marked a major milestone in alumni cooperation during the NEO-ICP-ENFP and ESAA Annual Meeting 2026, held in Brussels from 26 to 28 January, 2026. The event brought together key stakeholders from across the global Erasmus+ ecosystem, with a strong focus on strategic alignment, sustainability, and strengthening collaboration among ESAA sister organisations.
The EMA delegation was represented by Marvi Qazi (EMA President), Shahin S. Eity (EMA Vice President), Nico Wichmann (Country Representative, Germany), Linda Paulauska (Country Representative, Latvia), and Adaleta Omerbasic (EMA member) actively contributing to discussions across all three days.
Day 1: NEO-ICP-ENFP Meeting 2026
26 January 2026
EMA representatives: Nico Wichmann and Linda Paulauska, participated in the NEO-ICP-ENFP Meeting, which convened Erasmus+ National Offices (NEOs), National Focal Points (ENFPs), and International Contact Points (ICPs), 250 delegates from over 145 countries.
The exchanges addressed concrete challenges related to mobility implementation, its broader impact beyond Erasmus+, and the strengthening of cooperation between regions. Importantly, the presence of alumni representatives ensured that discussions remained grounded in lived experience, reinforcing the value of Erasmus+ as a catalyst for personal development, institutional strengthening, and international understanding.
This engagement also reflects a broader commitment shaped by the Erasmus+ journey itself: promoting accessible information, stronger connections between stakeholders, and inclusive opportunities, so that the benefits of mobility and international cooperation can reach as many people as possible.
A highlight of the day was the interactive “Sandbox Game” workshop, a co-creation exercise that enabled participants to collaboratively simulate challenges and develop practical solutions. This innovative format encouraged dynamic dialogue and translated policy ideas into tangible actions.
The key takeaway from Day 1 was : face-to-face dialogue with alumni is essential to shaping effective Erasmus+ policies and sustaining the programme’s global impact.
Days 2–3: ESAA Annual Meeting & Local Event 2026
27 - 28 January 2026
The ESAA Annual Meeting brought together all four ESAA Member Organisations: Erasmus Mundus Students & Alumni Association (EMA), Erasmus Student Network (ESN), garagErasmus, and OCEANS, alongside representative from ESAA cousin organizations: the African Students and Alumni Forum (ASAF) and the Western Balkans Alumni Association (WBAA). Representatives of the Directorate General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) and European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) joined the discussions, reinforcing the strategic importance of alumni networks within the Erasmus+ framework.
A Historic Milestone: Signing of the ESAA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
A defining moment of the meeting was the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the Presidents of all four ESAA Member Organisations. This agreement formalises a renewed commitment to closer cooperation while respecting the unique strengths and missions of each organisation.
The MoU establishes a clear framework for a more cohesive, efficient, and impactful ESAA, strengthening joint action while enabling each member to maximise its contribution to the Erasmus+ community worldwide.
Strategic Dialogue and Expanding Partnerships
Alongside the ESAA Annual Meeting, participants engaged in strategic exchanges with representatives of the European Commission, providing an important platform to discuss network sustainability, alumni needs, and long-term strategic priorities. These discussions enabled ESAA Member Organisations to directly advocate for the resources, policy support, and recognition needed to empower alumni-led initiatives worldwide.
The scope of dialogue further expanded through exchanges with representatives of the European External Action Service (EEAS), DG INTPA (Capacity4dev), and the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MSCA/MCAA). These conversations focused on exploring synergies between mobility, skills development, research, and international cooperation, with the aim of strengthening connections across policy, education, and global engagement frameworks.
Key Action Points Moving Forward
Operationalise the ESAA MoU by strengthening joint working groups and translating commitments into concrete initiatives.
Sustain strategic dialogue with the European Commission through continuous and structured engagement.
Empower community participation by encouraging members to develop ideas and apply for ESAA activity calls.
Activate partnerships with stakeholders such as MCAA to transform networking into impactful collaborative projects.
The NEO-ICP-ENFP and ESAA Annual Meeting 2026 reaffirmed the central role of students and alumni in shaping the future of Erasmus+. With the signing of the ESAA Memorandum of Understanding, the alliance takes a decisive step toward deeper cooperation, stronger advocacy, and a more united global alumni voice.
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I love how the ESAA is amplifying alumni voices! It’s crucial for building networks. This connects beautifully to initiatives like Granny 2, which empower communities through shared experiences and cultural exchange.