On 18 February, the ACA Thematic Peer Group “European policies and programmes” convened to discuss the latest policy updates related to the design of the new Erasmus+ programme and the launch of a new EU package linked to talent attraction and retention (see ACA Newsletter – Education Europe, January 2026).  

Other topics addressed by the group included the (re-)association of Switzerland and the UK to Erasmus+ and anticipated processes for enlargement countries, as well as an overview of recent policy evidence including two studies published by ACA and  several of its members: “Economic impact of Erasmus+ student mobility: Insights from Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, and Serbia” (see ACA Newsletter – Education Europe, February 2026) and “National-level support for participation in European Universities Alliances: Insights from Higher Education Institutions and National Agencies” (see ACA Newsletter – Education Europe, January 2026). 

ACA’s Thematic Peer Group (TPG) “Global developments” convened on 24 March to discuss the recent research security policy updates regarding the ERA Act and its public consultation and the Research security monitor 2025. Mirko van Muijen, Policy Officer, Directorate-General Research and Innovation, European Commission, presented an overview of the Research security monitor 2025 as well as other anticipated activities for 2027 (see ACA Newsletter – Education Europe, March 2026). The TPG members also shared respective national updates on the topic of responsible internationalisation, highlighting national frameworks, country-specific insights (i.e. “Data Protection in China”, DAAD - KIWi Compass), and upcoming events (i.e. the Nordic National Agencies’ event on responsible internationalisation in  education cooperation (see ACA Newsletter – Education Europe, March 2026). 

ACA’s Thematic Peer Group “Communications” met on 30 March to discuss how communication functions can move from a supporting role to a more strategic position within organisations. The session featured prof. Dr. Dejan Verčič from University of Ljubljana, who outlined the core elements of strategic communication, including stakeholder mapping, the use of data and indicators, and the need to embed communication responsibilities across the whole organisation rather than within a single team. He also stressed the growing importance of communication in a digital and “post-literate” environment, where trust in expertise is shifting. 

This was followed by a practice-based contribution from Deirdre Kilbride, Communications Officer, Una Europa, who presented concrete tools used within the alliance, such as structured communication workflows, briefing templates, and internal platforms to improve coordination. She highlighted recurring challenges, including communication teams being involved too late in projects, unclear objectives, and limited strategic alignment. The discussion with participants further explored how to position communication teams more effectively within organisations, emphasising early involvement in project design, stronger internal communication, and the development of clear, shared narratives to support institutional strategies. 

On 31 March, the ACA Thematic Peer Group on “New Mobility Formats” convened to explore recent developments and emerging trends in international mobility. The meeting featured an external presentation by George Ubachs, Managing Director of European Association of Distance Teaching Universities, who addressed the role of micro-credentials in blended and virtual mobility formats. The discussion underlined the importance of moving beyond traditional certificates towards digital credentials, which form the basis for making micro-credentials more transparent, trustworthy, and portable. In this context, Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) are increasingly used to operationalise micro-credentials. However, a key challenge at the European level remains ensuring consistency, pointing to the need for a well-defined micro-credential qualification framework. Members also shared updates on the national uptake of blended mobility formats, highlighting growing interest and increased engagement.