Kick-Off Meeting of the CIDRA project in Marrakech

On February 17-18, 2025, the kick-off meeting for the CIDRA (Creating a Joint Infrastructure for Dialogue, Research, and Advocacy between Europe and Africa) project took place in Marrakech, Morocco. Hosted by the University Cadi Ayyad (UCA), the event brought together representatives from the 13 universities involved in the consortium. A total of 25 scholars from South Africa, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Somalia, Ethiopia, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Greece, France, Sweden, and Italy attended, with the University of Roma Tre leading the consortium.

The event marked the formal start of this collaborative effort to establish a joint academic infrastructure for dialogue, research, and advocacy between Europe and Africa. The primary objective was to lay the foundation for future collaboration among partners and define key strategies for communication, management, and monitoring. Participants engaged in discussions on the project’s core structure, expected deliverables, and the roadmap for implementation.

The meeting commenced with a detailed presentation of the project, outlining CIDRA’s rationale, work packages, key deliverables, events, and reporting mechanisms. This session helped align expectations and understanding among all partners. Following this, participants reviewed and approved several essential documents for the project’s smooth execution, including the Project Management Guidelines and Project Monitoring Guidelines prepared by Roma Tre University. The Communication and Dissemination Plan, along with the official project logo and website, developed by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, were also finalized.

A key focus of the meeting was discussing on the syllabi for two online didactic modules: one on European regional integration tailored for African students and another on African integration designed for European students. A consensus was reached on the structure and content of these modules to ensure they provide significant academic value and align with the project’s objectives. Preparations will soon begin for recording the relevant courses to provide accessible and practical learning material for students and educators.

In addition, the meeting covered the schedule for upcoming activities and deliverables, ensuring a clear path forward. The next steps include building a comprehensive database of relevant stakeholders, an initiative led by CEU San Pablo University of Madrid. Another crucial activity in the coming months will be organizing bilateral stakeholder meetings to strengthen engagement with key partners and institutions.

Beyond the formal discussions, socialization events and informal gatherings helped set the collaborative tone for the project. Special thanks go to our colleagues at Université Cadi Ayyad for their excellent organization of the event. The kick-off meeting successfully established a trong foundation for CIDRA, reinforcing commitment among partners and ensuring a well-structured path for future collaboration between European and African institutions.