Marseille Meeting: Shaping the European HOME and local HOMEs Together

“Students want to help — they just don’t know where to start.”

This powerful insight, drawn from our European research on civic engagement among students and university staff, became the guiding thread of the third consortium meeting of the HOME project, held in Marseille.

Over two intense and inspiring days, partners from across Europe came together to reflect, exchange experiences, and take concrete steps forward. Between deep conversations, shared ideas, French sunshine and the strong Mistral wind — which kept both the air and our minds fresh — we focused on one central question:

How do we create a European HOME for engaged students that truly works for them?

From research to real solutions

The Marseille meeting marked an important milestone for the project. It was a moment to move from analysis to action — translating research findings into tangible ideas that respond to the real needs of students and higher education communities.

In just 48 hours, the consortium managed to:

• transform research insights into practical concepts and solutions;

• outline the foundations of a virtual European campus where students, lecturers, university staff and civic organisations can learn from one another;

• share experiences from local events already organised in each partner country;

• define a clear roadmap to make the European HOME a space that inspires, supports and connects active citizens, both locally and internationally.

A special meeting, a new partner

This meeting was also special for another reason: it was the first in-person encounter with our new partner and host, Eurasia Net. With their long-standing experience working with students and universities, their team brought fresh energy and reinforced our shared confidence that what we are building is both relevant and sustainable.

Looking ahead: the European HOME takes shape

Marseille helped us clarify our vision — and, importantly, how to begin.

Starting in January, the project continues at full speed with the launch campaign of the European HOME. With strong messages, concrete actions and one shared goal, we aim to make civic engagement accessible, visible and appealing to every student in Europe.

The meeting reminded us of something essential: when people come together around a shared purpose, direction emerges naturally.

About the HOME project

The HOME project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and aims to foster social engagement and active citizenship among students and academic communities across six European countries.

Together, we are building a European HOME for engagement — a place where ideas meet action, and where students can find their starting point.