Nachhaltigkeit

On 14 October 2021, the ground-breaking ceremony was held on the campus of Bielefeld University and two fruit trees were planted for the Europawäldchen. Since then, the Europawäldchen has been growing on the campus of Bielefeld University - a living symbol of sustainability, internationalisation and European cooperation. As part of the Europe-wide #ErasmusDays, representatives of the International Office, the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) and members of the university plant two fruit trees every year.

On 18 October 2024, another apple tree and a mirabelle plum tree were planted behind the Social Field. Rector Professor Dr Angelika Epple emphasised the importance of the initiative: "The Europawäldchen is a symbol of our European commitment and of sustainable internationalisation at Bielefeld University." She hopes that a bench will also be placed in the grove in the future - a place of encounter and exchange.

Join in and experience Europe

Once a year, the Erasmus+ programme is celebrated during #ErasmusDays, with events and activities taking place at various locations throughout Europe. With the various activities, the Erasmus+ community aims to reach as many people as possible and get them excited about the European idea. In Bielefeld, employees and students have been taking part in the campaign by planting trees since 2021.

Erasmus+: Exchange and networking in Europe

The Erasmus+ programme is a central component of Bielefeld University's internationalisation strategy. In the 2023/24 academic year, 260 students took advantage of the opportunity to study at European universities and 26 students completed an internship abroad. 50 employees also benefited from Erasmus+ and gained valuable experience at partner universities. Spain, Italy, Sweden and France were particularly popular destinations. At the same time, Bielefeld welcomed 110 international students from countries such as Italy, Turkey and Spain.

The Erasmus+ programme becomes visible in a special way through the annually growing European Forest: sustainability, social inclusion, digital change and democratic participation - the central themes of the programme - find a symbolic expression here.

Tree by tree, the European Forest continues to grow - as a green symbol of a living European community.