Governance and Management of the KreativEU alliance entails activities related to setting up a three-level governance structure of the consortium to ensure transparence and effectiveness in the functioning, decision-making and risk management.
Source: KreativEU Booklet, 2024.
The first level, titled ‘Network governance’, entails representing the KreativEU Alliance with EU Governing bodies, International European Organisations and associations, other European Alliances; taking decisions and authorising steps impacting the network of HEIs as whole; supervising over time the level of achievement of the strategic goals set in the joint mission statement.
At the first level of governance, three main Government Bodies are envisaged:
- General Assembly,
- Managing body,
- Student Union.
The KreativEU General Assembly consists of the Rectors or Presidents of the eleven pioneering HEIs, which are members of the KreativEU Alliance. The General Assembly is chaired by the President of KreativEU.
The Managing Board consists of one board member per university. Each board member may be assisted and represented by another person. The Managing Board is responsible for implementing the decisions of the General Assembly. The Managing Board is chaired by the General Secretary who acts as a Chair of the Steering Committee of KreativEU.
The Student Union is a democratic body representing the student perspective in the KreativEU Alliance. The Student Union protects students’ interests and delivers recommendations for the strategic direction of the KreativEU Alliance, electing a Chair who participates in all General Assembly meetings. The Student Union consists of two elected student representatives from each eleven pioneering HEI, called Student Ambassadors.
The second level, titled as ‘Project governance’, entails decision-making, control, and supervision of the first project implemented by the KreativEU Alliance as a whole.
In this second level of governance, seven bodies are envisaged:
- Steering Committee,
- Advisory Board,
- Quality Control team,
- Finances Team,
- Monitoring and Evaluation Team,
- Data Protection Team,
- Key Project Team.
The Steering Committee has the responsibility of handling risks and taking decisions impacting activities at project level and taking responsibility in front of the Managing Board for the implementation of the project plan, the transparency and correctness of financial expenditure, high quality of deliverables and activities, the achievement of the outcomes needed to deliver on the network’s strategic goals. This body is chaired by the General Secretary of the KreativEU Alliance.
The Advisory Board is composed by all associates and honorary partners. The Advisory Board members act as advisers to the General Assembly and Steering Committee in certain aspects such as communication, evaluation of the achievement of project goals, future sustainability, and play active role in the implementation of activities foreseen. This body is chaired by a Chair.
The Finances Team is composed of the financial managers appointed by each partner and is responsible for overseeing and authorising all project-related expenses and of overviewing the financial reporting process. This body is chaired by the Financial Coordinator.
The Quality Control Team is composed of two experts from each partner HEI – one expert in teaching and one expert in research. This body is responsible for reviewing and assessing the quality of all relevant project deliverables, providing feedback through recommendations and reports on the quality of each deliverable. This body is chaired by the Quality Officer.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Team is composed of one representative responsible for monitoring from each partner HEI. This body is in charge for collecting evidence and reporting on the activities and evaluating their outcomes. This body is chaired by the Project Officer.
The Data Protection Team is composed of data protection experts appointed by each partner HEI. It is in charge for ensuring the internal application of relevant national and EU legislation on data protection and cybersecurity. This body is chaired by the Data Protection Officer.
The Key Project Team is the link between project governance and the third level, the governance of activities. At project governance level, it is in charge for executing the decisions taken by the Steering Committee and transmitting them to the lower level for implementation. This body is chaired by the Project Coordinator.
The third level, titled as ‘Activity governance’, entails coordination and supervision of the eight Work Packages, supervising and guiding the smooth day-by-day management of the Human Resources involved. Although this can mostly be considered a management level, there will also be a component of governance involved, in taking decisions and addressing problems impacting a specific task or WP that require consideration of the overall project work plan.
On this third level of governance, the involved bodies are:
- Key Project Team,
- WP3 Team,
- WP4 Team,
- WP5 Team,
- WP6 Team,
- WP7 Team,
- WP8 Team.
The Key Project Team is composed of seven WP Coordinators. It is responsible for ensuring the link between the strategic approach given by the first level of governance, the decisions taken by the second level of governance, and the execution of activities. The body is chaired by the KreativEU Project Coordinator.
The WP2 Team manages activities on KreativEU Education. The body is chaired by the KreativEU Education Officer.
The WP3 Team manages KreativEU Research-related activities. The body is chaired by the KreativEU Research Officer.
The WP4 Team manages activities related to the transnational Art and Heritage Incubator. The body is chaired by the KreativEU Art and Heritage Officer.
The WP5 Team manages activities related to sustainability challenges. The body is chaired by the KreativEU AI and Sustainability Officer.
The WP6 Team will coordinate the implementation of the KreativEU Inter-University Campus. The body is chaired by the KreativEU Inter-University Campus Officer.
The WP7 Team manages the mobility of students, experts, professors, and stakeholders. The body is chaired by the KreativEU Mobility Officer.
The WP8 Team manages KreativEU communication and dissemination activities. The body is chaired by the KreativEU Communication Officer.
KreativEU Governance and Management is coordinated by the Polytechnic University of Tomar (Leader).