Perspective | From a Simple Conversation to an EU-Funded Project

Sometimes, important things begin in very simple ways. A short conversation, a shared lunch, or a small introduction can slowly grow into something much bigger. That is exactly how our partnership began. Looking back now, it is hard to believe that an ordinary day in Turku became the starting point of a successful EU-funded project. But that is what happened.

It All Started on a Spring Day in Turku

On April 16, 2024, the day began like any other spring day in Finland. The air was fresh, the sky was clear, and everything felt calm and full of possibility. That day, we travelled from Tampere to Turku University of Applied Sciences (Turku UAS), where we met a group of visiting teachers and students from Indonesia participating in a Team Finland Knowledge-funded project coordinated by Turku University of Applied Sciences as part of the TEACH project.

Their presence brought warmth and energy to the environment. They were open, curious, and eager to engage in conversations about education, collaboration, and new ideas. At first, taking part in their activities did not seem especially significant. In the end, however, it marked the beginning of something deeply meaningful.

A Lunch That Became Much More Than Lunch

Later that day, a lunch meeting brought everyone together. Around the table were Dr. Katja Heikkinen, Head of the Department; Dr. Tuuli Lahti, Degree Program Leader; and the visiting colleagues from Indonesia. What started as a friendly conversation quickly became a serious and exciting discussion. People began sharing ideas about international collaboration, higher education development, and capacity building in higher education. It became clear that there was a strong connection between the people at the table. Different institutions from different countries shared similar values, interests, and goals.

During that conversation, a new idea began to take shape: why not work together on a joint proposal for the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) Call 2024? That moment changed everything. It was the first step toward building a real partnership.

Turning an Idea into a Plan

After that first meeting, things began to move forward. What had started as a simple idea soon became a serious project plan. From May 2024 to December 2024, the group met every month. These meetings were led by (name), who helped guide the team with focus and clarity. Each meeting helped shape the project further. The partners discussed goals, roles, activities, and long-term impact. Slowly, the proposal began to take shape. As the deadline came closer, the work became more intense. In January and February 2025, the monthly meetings turned into weekly meetings. Everyone had to work closely together. There were many drafts, many discussions, and many careful revisions. The partnership included eight institutions in total: two from Bangladesh, three from Indonesia, two from Finland, and one from Sweden. Each institution brought something unique and valuable to the consortium. Different experiences, different strengths, and different perspectives came together under one common vision.

The RESHAPE Proposal

After months of work, the team completed the proposal. Its title was: Regenerating Socio-Cultural Sustainability and Planetary Wellbeing in Higher Education: Global Partnership (RESHAPE). This was not just a title. It reflected the shared values of the whole consortium. The project aimed to support sustainability, wellbeing, and meaningful international cooperation in higher education. By mid-February 2025, the proposal was submitted under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) call.

Behind that submission were many hours of effort. There were long discussions, careful editing, budget planning, and constant communication between partners in different countries. It was a demanding process, but also a hopeful one. Throughout this journey, Indri Hapsari Susilowati (UI), Tuuli Tamminen (Turku UAS) and Heli Brander (Turku UAS) played important roles in keeping the work moving. Their commitment, leadership, and teamwork helped to keep the group focused and connected.

The Good News

Then came the news we had all been hoping for: the RESHAPE proposal had been selected for funding under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education programme for the period 2026–2028. This was a proud and emotional moment for everyone involved. What had started as a simple meeting in a university café had become a real international partnership, supported through Erasmus+ Capacity Building funding. It was a reminder that meaningful things often begin quietly. Not every important moment looks important at first.

Looking Back

When we think about that day in Turku, Finland, we see much more than a casual meeting. We see the beginning of trust, cooperation, and shared purpose. We see how ideas grow when people are open to each other and willing to work together. Now, of course, the real responsibility begins. Receiving funding is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of the real work. The plans we wrote must now become actions. The values we discussed must now be put into practice.

Still, this story reminds us of something important: you never really know where one conversation can lead. Sometimes, one ordinary day can open the door to something extraordinary.

Perhaps that is the most important lesson of all – and one that will continue to guide us throughout the RESHAPE project.

Authors:

• Mohammed Asaduzzaman, PhD, Professor, Department of Public Administration, Project Manager/ coordinator, RESHAPE- Project Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE), Islamic University, Kushtia-7003, Bangladesh. Email: asaduzzaman.mohammed@gmail.com
• Nasrin Jahan Jinia, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Health & Wellbeing, Master School, Expert, RESHAPE Project Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE), Turku University of Applied Sciences. Turku, Finland. Email: nasrin.jinia@turkuamk.fi