The network of Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE) was created in 2007 with the aim to provide support to the modernisation of higher education in third countries neighbouring the EU (Western Balkans, Central Asia, Eastern Partnership and South Mediterranean Region). The initiative that started during the Tempus IV programme proved to be successful and was therefore continued under the Erasmus+ Programme.  

In order to further enhance the network’s expertise and provide centralised training and network opportunities, the European Commission and its European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) continue to fund centralised support to the HERE network. This is done through a service contract (SPHERE), currently managed by a consortium consisting of OBREAL (Coordinator) and the European University Association (EUA).