Universities of value need autonomy, sustainable funding and strategy to meet Europe’s challenges

University leaders have said that to address the pressing challenges facing Europe, universities need to strike a balance between three inseparable elements: autonomy, sustainable funding and strategy, all underpinned by academic values.

Manuel Tuñón de Lara, Board member of the European University Association (EUA), opened the 2026 EUA Funding Forum in Brno, Czechia, on 15/10/2026. He stated: "At a time when universities are facing growing challenges and expectations, we should pay special attention to the importance of values, which are the basis of their strategy and their funding choices."

He said universities needed three elements closely connected: institutional autonomy, a strategy and adequate and sustainable funding. "A strategy without resources remains a sort of ambition…