The activities and outcomes of CBHE projects must be geared to benefit the eligible third countries not associated to the Programme, their higher education institutions and systems. This action contributes to the achievement of the Global Gateway strategy of the European Commission which aims to tackle the most pressing global challenges, from fighting climate change, to improving health systems, and boosting competitiveness and security of global supply chains. Projects in capacity building in higher education are envisioned to contribute to the broader policy objectives that are being pursued between the European Commission and the third countries not associated to the Programme or region concerned, including the Global Gateway investment packages.

Projects will combine the following elements for the benefit of HEIs in the third countries not associated to the Programme:

• Innovation in higher education in order to enhance its relevance for the labour market and the society. It is expected that the proposed projects address mismatches between the requirements of employers and the offer of higher education institutions and propose integral solutions to enhance better employability of students. This can be done by implementing comprehensive interventions that include:
  • the design of innovative curricula and introducing innovative elements in the existing curricula;
    the implementation of innovative learning and teaching methods (i.e. learner-centred and real problem-based teaching and learning);
• the active engagement with the business world and with research, the organisation of continuing educational programmes and activities with and within enterprises;
• the strengthening of the capacities of HEIs to network effectively in research, scientific and technological innovation.

Promoting reform in HEIs to become catalysts of economic and social development. Projects should support HEIs to develop and implement the institutional reforms that will make them more democratic, inclusive, equitable, accountable and fully-fledged constituents of civil society. Institutional reforms include new governance and management systems and structures, readiness in terms of digital skills, modern university services, quality assurance processes, tools and methods for professionalisation and professional development of leadership, academic, technical and administrative staff. The development of an entrepreneurial mind-set and improved competencies and skills within the institutions are key aspects for the success of this Strand. Transversal skills learning, entrepreneurship education and the practical application of entrepreneurial skills will enable HEIs to put their knowledge and resources at the service of their local/national/regional communities.

Overarching priorities to be covered by projects under Strand 2

Each applicant will need to identify in Part A of the application form only one of the overarching priorities, which are defined by the European Commission per Region. This is compulsory. For those projects that also refer to a Global Gateway relevant priority, applicants should select the ‘Global Gateway’ fixed keyword in the relevant field, alongside any other fixed keyword options relevant to their proposal.

This action is expected to contribute to the following priorities (more details on the application of the following priorities within the scope of the call, please consult pages 312-313 of the Programme Guide):

• Green Deal
• Digital transformation
• Integration of migrants
• Governance, peace, security and human development
• Sustainable growth and jobs

CBHE projects can be implemented as:

• national projects, i.e. projects involving institutions from only one eligible third country not associated to the Programme;
• multi-country (regional) projects within one single eligible region;
• multi-country projects involving more than one region (cross-regional). Cross-regional projects must address priority areas relevant for of all Regions involved, demonstrate their relevance for each Region and justify this by a detailed analysis of common needs and objectives.

Further details:

• In this Strand, overarching priorities are further detailed in each regional context as it shown in the 2025 Programme Guide (page 311).
• In the Regions where the indicative budget is indicated as zero, normally projects in these Regions cannot be funded.
• Note that there is a flexibility of transferring budgets between the Strands.