ESM and EUI strengthen cooperation through new Partnership Agreement

Fiesole, 24 February 2026 – The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and the European University Institute (EUI) have formalised a strengthened framework for cooperation by signing a new Partnership Agreement at the EUI campus hub in Fiesole, Italy.

The agreement was signed by Pierre Gramegna, Managing Director of the ESM, and Armando Barucco, Secretary General of the EUI, and establishes a structured framework to deepen collaboration in academic research, policy analysis, and executive training.

Areas of cooperation include:

• Organisation of joint policy-oriented labs, workshops, and applied research initiatives, including contributions to multi-stakeholder dialogues;
• Participation of ESM staff and ESM-sponsored candidates in the EUI Global Executive Master;
• Cooperation in teaching activities and specialised training programmes;
• Study visits and career-development opportunities for students and staff;
• Informal consultations and reciprocal exchange of expertise, analytical tools, and best practices.

A joint Steering Committee composed of representatives from both institutions will meet regularly to guide implementation and ensure progress across all areas of cooperation.

ESM Managing Director Pierre Gramegna said: “This partnership with the EUI allows us to create genuine synergies by combining the ESM’s policy experience with the Institute’s academic excellence. Our cooperation builds on existing and fruitful projects like the ‘Handbook on Crisis Communication’, jointly prepared and published last year, and the ‘SIU Lab’, a project aimed at building a knowledge community dedicated to the Savings and Investments Union. By working more closely together, we can strengthen our analytical foundations, foster new ideas, and offer our staff enhanced opportunities for learning and development. This cooperation will benefit both institutions and support better policy outcomes for Europe.”

EUI Secretary General Armando Barucco underlined: “This partnership marks an important step in strengthening the bridge between academic research and European policymaking. Over the next strategic period, 2026–2031, the EUI aims to consolidate its position as Europe’s leading hub for policy-relevant social sciences and humanities research. Working with the ESM will enable us to translate cutting-edge scholarship into practical insights, while offering new opportunities for learning, exchange, and impact across our academic community.”

About the European University Institute (EUI)

Founded in 1972 by the Member States of the European Communities, the European University Institute is an international postgraduate and postdoctoral research university specialising in the social sciences and humanities.

The Institute opened its doors to its first cohort of PhD researchers in 1976. In 2026, it marks fifty years of academic activity, research, and training.

Based in Florence, Italy, the EUI hosts doctoral and postdoctoral programmes, a growing portfolio of master’s and executive education initiatives, and policy-oriented research centres. The Institute is dedicated to advancing scholarly excellence and contributing to informed European and global policymaking.