Jean Monnet Action

The Jean Monnet Action

The Jean Monnet Action was officially launched in 1989 on the initiative of the European Commission with the aim of supporting teaching and research on European integration within higher education systems worldwide.

Evolution of the Jean Monnet Action

  • 1989 – Launch of the Jean Monnet Action as an independent programme, initially addressed exclusively to universities within the European Union.

  • 1990s – Progressive extension to non-EU countries, particularly candidate and neighbouring countries.

  • 2007 – Integration into the Lifelong Learning Programme.

  • 2014–2020 – Inclusion as a sub-action of the new Erasmus+ programme, with a more structured framework and with an expansion to schools and to academic–policy dialogue.

  • Since 2021 – Under the new Erasmus+ programming (2021–2027), the Action has been further strengthened, extending also to schools (Teacher Training) and vocational education and training.

The role of Punto Europa in the Jean Monnet Action

Since its foundation, Punto Europa has played a leading role in the Jean Monnet Action, securing numerous grants for Modules, Chairs, and Projects.

Lorenza Sebesta, the first Chair of the Punto Europa Scientific Committee, already held a Jean Monnet Chair at the time of the centre’s establishment. Since September 2000, Punto Europa has actively participated in the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence at the University of Bologna, then coordinated by Lucia Serena Rossi. With the appointment of Giuliana Laschi as Chair in 2004, this connection grew even stronger: already the holder of a Jean Monnet Module, she subsequently obtained several Jean Monnet Chairs, including a prestigious Jean Monnet Chair personam.

Over the years, Punto Europa has consolidated its position as a highly specialized centre at both the national and European levels, becoming a key reference point for the implementation and promotion of the Jean Monnet Action.

In 2014, the centre received formal recognition as a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in European Studies.