SPARC Europe has identified digital transformation as a force reshaping higher education across Europe. It indicated that, for this transition to produce a more equitable and borderless learning environment, Open Education (OE) must move from a peripheral role to a central position within European policy.
SPARC Europe stated that achieving this change requires shifting beyond fragmented national approaches toward a coordinated international structure for Open Education (OE) through the establishment of a European alliance. It conducted a feasibility study, including consultation with more than 25 international experts, and produced the Open Education European Alliance Feasibility Report, which was released during Open Education Week 2026.
SPARC Europe reported that participants agreed that stronger international collaboration is necessary to create a borderless, equitable learning environment, and has proposed an Alliance designed to support and complement existing local and national initiatives. The proposed structure is described as a coordinated mechanism to advance digital transformation through shared standards and a unified approach, including openness, connected infrastructure, common standards, addressing large technology companies, policy and legislation input, recognition and rewards, and more efficient public funding through a unified system.
SPARC Europe has indicated that efforts are underway to establish an initiators group to develop this proposed Alliance and stated that this group will define governance, vision, mission, and priority areas to support a sustainable, structured approach to open learning across Europe.
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