The new academic year for Slovenian Higher Education Institutions engaged in Erasmus+ (KA1, KA2) and CEEPUS projects began in early September with a national kick-off event set against the mountain backdrop of Kranjska Gora. Nearly 150 project coordinators came together to exchange updates on project implementation and to look ahead to upcoming activities in both programmes. 

A series of targeted workshops addressed specific areas of KA1, KA2, and CEEPUS, alongside joint sessions on reintegration after mobility, inclusion and diversity, and the design of hybrid components for Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs). The latter was led by Angeliki Psychogyiou, Academic Cooperation Association, and Salome Dermati, European University Foundation, who shared insights from the HIBLend project and its framework for high-quality virtual learning. 

Participants also explored good practices presented by higher education institutions from across Slovenia, highlighting innovative approaches to international mobility and cooperation. 

The event concluded with a keynote by Tomaž Mihelič – Marlenna, who offered a personal reflection on how Erasmus+ shaped his creative and professional path — from forming the iconic drag act Sestre, which represented Slovenia at Eurovision 2002, to founding a humanitarian art institute and writing a book. 

Overall, the kick-off combined practical updates, peer learning, and inspiration, reminding participants of the lifelong impact of international mobility and collaboration on individuals, institutions, and society.