Anchoring a Shared Future: ENLIGHT takes a new step forward with the establishment of its legal entity
ENLIGHT has reached an important milestone in its development: the alliance now has its own legal entity. On 22 July 2026, the International Non-Profit Association ENLIGHT European University Alliance was officially established under Belgian law, with its legal status formally recognised through a Royal Decree published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 2 October 2026.
This milestone stands as a testament to our ten member universities' shared commitment to a lasting future for our alliance. ENLIGHT works to create a connected European learning, teaching and research environment that enables deeper collaboration across borders. The establishment of a legal entity marks a significant step in strengthening this cooperation and supporting the alliance's long-term ambitions. Having a formal legal structure provides a common framework through which the partner universities can further develop joint initiatives, coordinate activities and support the growth of the ENLIGHT Open Space, the alliance's vision for an integrated European academic environment.
The new legal entity complements ongoing work on a cooperation agreement between ENLIGHT's ten partner universities. Together, these developments will help ensure that ENLIGHT continues to evolve as a sustainable and effective European University alliance, creating opportunities for students, researchers, teachers and professional staff.
„This milestone gives solid structural foundation to the collective ambition of our ten universities. Establishing the ENLIGHT European University Alliance as an official legal entity reinforces our shared trust and ensures that our joint initiatives will continue to thrive and scale sustainably for years to come.“
Leah Vandeveer, ENLIGHT Secretery General