NEOLAiA (Youth in Greek) is a close-knit alliance of seven young, dynamically developing higher education institutions based in small and mid-sized cities in the regions beyond metropolises: Bielefeld University (Germany), University of Jaén (Spain), University of Ostrava (Czech Republic), Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava (Romania), Siauliai State College (Lithuania), Örebro University (Sweden) and University of Salerno (Italy).
Most members of the EU are living in small- and medium-sized cities or in the countryside. As young universities with the power and commitment for reform, we are the most important drivers of innovation and social change, in our regions, in the EU, and beyond. NEOLAiA partners have compatible profiles as research-intensive universities with common values; they have strong connections with their regions’ networks, and a complementarity of expertise and experiences.