Capital University of Somalia (CUS) is proud to announce its successful participation in the Sustainable Entrepreneurship for Reconstruction and Internationalisation of Universities (SERIOUS) project, awarded under the European Union’s Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE), Strand 2 – Partnerships for Transformation in Higher Education, through the 2026 Cross-Regional Call.
The 36-month international project, coordinated by Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia, brings together 13 institutions from seven countries to strengthen higher education, promote sustainable entrepreneurship, enhance institutional resilience, and support socioeconomic reconstruction in conflict-affected and post-conflict communities.
This achievement represents an important milestone in Capital University of Somalia’s continued efforts to expand international academic cooperation, strengthen institutional capacity, and contribute to sustainable development through education, research, and innovation.
International Project Partners
The SERIOUS project brings together 13 academic and non-academic institutions from seven countries, combining international expertise in higher education, entrepreneurship, institutional development, and community engagement.
The project is led and coordinated by Comenius University Bratislava (UNIBA), Slovakia, in partnership with the University of Dubrovnik (UNIDU), Croatia; Institut de Haute Formation aux Politiques Communautaires (IHF), Belgium; and IDP European Consultants (IDP), Italy.
From Somalia, the participating institutions are Capital University of Somalia (CUS), Horseed International University (HIU), and Somali Education and Youth Development Action (SOEYDA).
The partners from Ukraine include State Tax University (STU), Public Union Local Democracy Agency of Dnipropetrovsk Region (ALDA UA), and University of Customs and Finance (UCF).
The consortium also includes three institutions from Armenia: Armenian State University of Economics (ASUE), National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia (NUACA), and Creative Youth (CY).
Together, these institutions will collaborate to strengthen higher education systems, advance sustainable entrepreneurship education, and develop innovative approaches to institutional resilience and community reconstruction.
Advancing Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Higher Education Transformation
The SERIOUS project aims to strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions to serve as drivers of economic recovery, social innovation, and sustainable community development.
A central component of the project is the development of a 32-ECTS micro-credential curriculum in social and sustainable entrepreneurship, designed to equip university students with practical entrepreneurial knowledge, innovative problem-solving skills, and competencies to contribute to community reconstruction and sustainable economic growth.
The project will engage 300 university students, including 180 from conflict-affected and disadvantaged areas, in piloting educational content and evaluating its relevance to local socioeconomic needs.
Beyond curriculum development, SERIOUS will strengthen institutional resilience, support academic continuity during crises, promote international knowledge exchange, and encourage collaboration between universities, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
Capital University of Somalia’s Role and Contribution
As one of the participating higher education institutions from Somalia, Capital University of Somalia will actively contribute to the implementation of the project’s academic, institutional, and community-focused activities.
CUS will participate in institutional capacity-building programmes, educational needs analysis, curriculum development and adaptation, student piloting, and international knowledge-sharing activities.
The university will also support engagement with local communities, civil society organizations, and private-sector stakeholders to ensure that project outcomes respond to Somalia’s educational and socioeconomic development priorities.
Through these activities, Capital University of Somalia seeks to strengthen its academic capacity, expand international partnerships, and enhance opportunities for students and academic staff to participate in innovative educational initiatives.
Building Resilient Universities and Stronger Communities
Recognizing the critical role of higher education in conflict-affected societies, SERIOUS places particular emphasis on strengthening institutional resilience and promoting universities as active contributors to reconstruction and community development.
The project will support an international working group examining the impact of conflict on higher education, identifying institutional challenges, and developing recommendations to strengthen academic continuity, crisis preparedness, and long-term institutional sustainability.
For Somalia, the initiative offers opportunities to strengthen higher education institutions’ engagement with communities, support youth entrepreneurship, and develop educational approaches that contribute to employment creation and socioeconomic recovery.
Strengthening International Academic Cooperation
Capital University of Somalia’s participation in the SERIOUS project reflects its commitment to internationalization and meaningful academic partnerships.
Through collaboration with international institutions, the university will benefit from knowledge exchange, institutional capacity-building, curriculum innovation, and shared experiences in higher education development.
The partnership also provides an opportunity for CUS to contribute Somali perspectives and experiences to international discussions on education, entrepreneurship, institutional resilience, and sustainable development.
Looking Ahead
Capital University of Somalia welcomes this significant achievement and looks forward to collaborating with Comenius University Bratislava and all international project partners throughout the three-year implementation period.
The SERIOUS project represents an important opportunity to strengthen institutional partnerships, enhance entrepreneurship education, and contribute to sustainable socioeconomic development in Somalia and other participating countries.
Capital University of Somalia remains committed to advancing academic excellence, research, innovation, and international cooperation while empowering students and communities to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future.