Support for Higher Education Reform Experts (SPHERE) is an initiative managed by OBREAL (Coordinator) and the European University Association (EUA) on behalf of the European Commission. The Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE) comprise a diverse network of individuals from universities, ministries, national higher education agencies, student unions, and other relevant organizations in European neighborhood countries (Southern Mediterranean, West Balkans, Eastern Europe, Central Asia). 

The Annual Conference of the Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE), held on 4-5 December 2023 at the University of Barcelona, presented a crucial opportunity for community building, networking, practice sharing, and reflection within this initiative. The event served as a space for reflection and assessment concerning the re-launch of the SPHERE contract in 2023. This included a focus on policy topics and the types of events and activities organized. The conference also featured a specific focus on the topic of greening in higher education, presenting and discussing preliminary results from a study commissioned by the European Commission. During two days participants had the opportunity to share practices related to current reform priorities outlined in the HERE Team annual work plans. It also served as a platform for promoting relevant EU projects connected to these reforms. The forecast for the 2024 SPHERE work plan and overarching theme was discussed, along with an assessment of the interests and needs of the HERE community.