On the structural role of non-state higher education in the European higher education system.
Adopted at the 3rd EUPHE Conference.
Paris, 18 June 2026.
PREAMBLE
The European Union of Private Higher Education (EUPHE), as the representative network of non-state higher education institutions in Europe, bringing together approximately 700 institutions and 1.4 million students;
Considering that these institutions, fully accredited by national quality assurance systems, award academic degrees with equal legal, academic and professional value to those conferred by state higher education institutions;
Reaffirming that education is a fundamental right and an essential public good, widely recognised in European and international legal frameworks, as a cornerstone of human dignity, individual freedom and collective progress;
Affirming that the freedom to learn, the freedom to teach, and the freedom to establish educational institutions, in accordance with democratic principles, form part of the essential foundation of open and pluralistic societies;
Underlining that the European project is grounded in values such as freedom, pluralism, equal opportunities, institutional autonomy, social cohesion and respect for the diversity of organisational models;
Recognising that non-state higher education represents a legitimate expression of societal initiative, playing a significant role in expanding access, diversifying provision, fostering pedagogical innovation, and strengthening the interaction between knowledge, economy, innovation and society;
Highlighting the contribution of these institutions to the advanced qualification of populations, economic competitiveness, scientific research, innovation and knowledge creation, as well as to the education of free, critical and responsible citizens;
Recognising that, in the contemporary global context, higher education constitutes a strategic asset for nations, playing a decisive role in building international partnerships, fostering trust between societies, and promoting development models based on knowledge, innovation and cooperation;
And considering that current transformations — technological, demographic, environmental and geopolitical — require higher education systems that are more dynamic, inclusive, interconnected and oriented towards the creation of scientific, economic and social value.
EUPHE CONSIDERS THAT:
1. Non-state higher education is an integral part of the European higher education system and fulfils an essential mission of general interest in education, science and innovation.
2. The freedom to learn, to teach and to choose educational pathways is a fundamental principle, whose effective realisation requires the existence of a plural, diverse and accessible institutional landscape.
3. Institutional diversity is a structural value of higher education systems, contributing to quality, innovation, adaptability and freedom of choice.
4. Equal institutional dignity between state and non-state institutions derives from the principles of justice, non-discrimination and proportionality, and must be fully ensured in public policy.
5. Non-state higher education plays a significant role in the production, transmission and valorisation of knowledge, as well as in its interaction with innovation systems and the needs of economies and societies.
6. The contribution of these institutions to the qualification of populations and to economic and social development is substantial, particularly in promoting employability, entrepreneurship and international mobility.
7. The fulfilment of the mission of general interest in education, science and innovation is a shared responsibility, which must fully integrate the contribution of all institutions, regardless of their legal nature.
8. Higher education is a key driver of shared prosperity, contributing to economic growth, the creation of high-skilled employment, sustainable development and social cohesion through human capital formation, research and innovation. It is an essential component of European sovereignty.
EUPHE CALLS UPON:
European institutions and Member States to:
1. Explicitly recognise non-state higher education within European policies on education, research and innovation, as an integral component of plural and excellence-driven systems.
2. Ensure equitable access to public and European funding, based on criteria of quality, merit and scientific, economic and social impact.
3. Adopt legal and regulatory frameworks that guarantee equal institutional treatment, preventing direct or indirect discrimination based on legal status.
4. Effectively safeguard academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the freedom to establish and develop higher education institutions, as expressions of fundamental democratic values.
5. Strengthen conditions for international cooperation, mobility of students, academics and researchers, and the development of joint programmes, as essential instruments for building an open, interconnected and trust-based European and global knowledge space.
6. Recognise and promote the contribution of non-state higher education to innovation, knowledge transfer and economic and social development, as a key element of Europe’s global competitiveness.
7. Foster structured international partnerships, including academic networks, joint programmes and scientific cooperation initiatives, as instruments for strengthening Europe’s global role and addressing shared challenges.
FINAL PROVISION
This Paris Declaration expresses the collective position of the European non-state higher education sector, as represented by EUPHE, and will be transmitted to the institutions of the European Union and to the Governments of the Member States, as a contribution to the development of a higher education system that is more plural, free, equitable and future-oriented.
The full realisation of the European model of a knowledge-based society, grounded in freedom and human dignity, requires the effective recognition of institutional pluralism and the contribution of all higher education institutions.
