European Universities Alliances lead innovation and change in European higher education, impacting research, education, and societal sectors at strategic and policy levels. CIVIS, through the SMARTT project, collaborated with various alliances and institutions to analyze, test, and pilot the European Degree label criteria. This effort aimed to improve the quality and transferability of European Degrees across and beyond Europe. Leveraging extensive experience in joint and multiple degree programs, the SMARTT project proposed recommendations for the European Commission and member states to support the development of Joint European Degrees.

SMARTT Experts first designed a vision for the European Degree label criteria, comparing it with existing guidelines like the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes and Erasmus Mundus. They created indicators and measures, piloting them on the "South European Studies (EUROSUD)" program, coordinated by the University of Glasgow. Following this initial phase, tools and instruments were refined for broader testing across at least 50 joint, multiple, and double degree programs and micro-credentials in transnational cooperation among CIVIS and associated partners. During the testing phases, the project team conducted interviews and focus groups with stakeholders, including Ministries, Quality Assurance Agencies, and student representatives. They addressed barriers and challenges faced in designing and implementing joint programs. Based on these discussions and testing, the team developed recommendations for the European Commission and member states, providing a clear evidence-based analysis of the European Degree label pilot process.

Dissemination actions shared project results, including three face-to-face events, such as a Kick-Off meeting in Glasgow and two large events in autumn 2023 (University of Bucharest) and spring 2024 were the final event was coorganized with the EC at ULB (Bruxelles).

The SMARTT project significantly contributed to the future design and implementation of joint European Degrees, offering a roadmap for enhancing European higher education quality and competitiveness. Recommendations guided legislative and policy-making processes at national and European levels.