EUChallenges
Launched as part of the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Actions in the field of Higher Education: Centres of Excellence call for proposals for the period 2025–2028, EUChallenges aims to analyse the main challenges facing Europe and contribute to strengthening the process of European integration. The project establishes a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on the future challenges facing Europe, which will serve as a forum for research, training and dialogue between academia, policymakers and civil society.
The project promotes academic excellence through interdisciplinary research into key issues such as demographic change, geopolitical instability, artificial intelligence, economic and social challenges—including access to housing and the difficulties young people face in becoming independent—as well as the future of European integration. It also aims to generate evidence-based knowledge that helps to inform public policy-making in the European Union.
The aim of the project is to influence decision-making by translating academic knowledge into the formulation of European public policy. The aim here is to ensure that the research findings are not confined to the theoretical realm, but are put into practice within the European context.
EUChallenges also promotes public engagement through conferences and outreach activities, which will help bring European issues to a wider audience and foster dialogue between academia and civil society. Nine events will be organised throughout the project, focusing on various challenges facing the European Union and designed to encourage public debate on the future of the European project.
One of the project’s key events will be an international conference to be held in Madrid in 2027, marking the anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. This event will bring together academics, policymakers, representatives of civil society and students to reflect on the achievements of European integration, analyse current challenges and discuss the future of the European Union.
The project also includes training seminars aimed at university students, with the aim of broadening their understanding of how the European Union works, its institutions and the challenges that will shape its future development.
The San Benito Prize: the tradition underpinning Europe’s future
Saint Benedict of Nursia occupies a central place in the history of Europe. Regarded as the patron saint of the continent, his legacy is not confined to the religious sphere, but forms one of the pillars upon which European cultural and spiritual identity has been built. As Benedict XVI recalled, “Europe was born from its spiritual leaven”, giving rise to a new unity following the fall of the Roman Empire: a unity based on shared values, the search for truth and the building of community.
Today, at a time when Europe is facing profound challenges—ranging from the geopolitical crisis to demographic issues and the difficulties young people face in accessing housing—the teachings of Saint Benedict are more relevant than ever. In this sense, reviving European tradition does not mean looking back on the past with nostalgia, but rather recognising that the policies of the future need a solid foundation. Values, unity, peace and a sense of community—so central to the Benedictine tradition—are key to addressing the challenges of today.
It is against this backdrop that the San Benito Award was established, an initiative designed to recognise academic excellence in addressing the challenges facing Europe.
Call for Applications 2025–2026
The award forms part of the activities of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for EU Challenges, which was awarded to RIDEE by the European Commission. Tiene como objetivo premiar los mejores Trabajos de Fin de Grado (TFG) y Trabajos de Fin de Máster (TFM) del curso académico 2025/2026 que contribuyan a abordar los retos a los que se enfrenta la Unión Europea.
- Who can take part?
The call for applications is open to students enrolled at any Spanish university during the 2025/2026 academic year. You will need to provide proof of this by submitting your university registration certificate.
- What kind of work can be submitted?
Final-year undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations produced as part of an official degree programme may be submitted. Particular emphasis will be placed on the academic quality, methodological rigour, originality and relevance of the work to the analysis of the major challenges facing the European Union.
- How can I take part?
Entries must be submitted in digital format (PDF), together with supporting documentation, to [email protected] in accordance with the terms and conditions of the call for entries.
- Submission deadline
The deadline for submitting applications is 31 May 2026.
- Prize money
The San Benito Prize carries a cash prize of €1,000 and is awarded to the best entry. The jury may award honourable mentions to other outstanding entries.
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