Strengthening Sustainable Alliances in Europe: SAMExperience Project in Action

The SAMExperience (Sustainable Alliance Manager Experience) project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ program, aims to develop a new professional figure—the Sustainable Alliance Manager (SAM)—capable of guiding small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the green and collaborative transitions of the 21st century. The project brings together partners from Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania, working to design and test a cutting-edge learning pathway.

The SAMExperience Alliance Model

At the core of the SAMExperience project lies a strategic model that explains how sustainable alliances should be understood and managed across Europe. Presented in the first slide of WP2 results, this model integrates multiple dimensions into a single, adaptable framework designed for practical use.

Four Key Dimensions of the SAMExperience Model:

S – Strategy of Collaboration

Defines why the alliance exists, what shared objectives partners pursue, and how sustainability is embedded in the long-term vision.

P – Processes and Life Cycle

Describes how the alliance evolves—from initial contact and negotiation to execution and review. Includes monitoring tools, governance structures, and conflict resolution mechanisms.

A – Alliance Manager Profile

Details the skills and characteristics required of the person managing the alliance. Includes competencies in leadership, mediation, cultural sensitivity, and strategic communication.

C – Collaborative Culture

Represents the soft foundation of any sustainable alliance—based on mutual trust, openness, transparency, and a shared ethical commitment.

This SPAC model (Strategy – Process – Alliance Manager – Culture) ensures that alliance-building is not ad hoc, but based on structure, adaptability, and values. It serves as both a diagnostic and design tool for partners at various stages of collaboration.

Real-Life Testing: Lithuania Business College (LBC)

A core part of the project is its practical testing phase. Students from Spain, Italy, Lithuania (Lithuania Business College (LBC)), Poland, and Romania are currently piloting the course. At least five students from each country are involved in the testing. Their feedback is helping adapt the course materials to local and regional learning needs.

WP2: Managing Alliances Across Europe

During the 3rd International Seminar, hosted by West University of Timișoara (UVT), partners presented the WP2 findings, including:

• Cross-country variations in alliance management strategies;
• Challenges related to cultural, institutional, and sectoral differences;
• The practical relevance of the SPAC model to overcome these challenges;
• Examples from national case studies showing how strategies differ between formalized and network-based collaboration cultures.

“There is no universal blueprint for alliances—only flexible, principle-based frameworks.” – WP2 team

UVT Case Study: University–Community Integration

UVT demonstrated how it integrates real community problems into student learning through:

• Transdisciplinary teams;
• Applied projects across faculties;
• Opportunities for soft skill development and innovation.

“Students solve real-world problems. That’s where soft and hard skills come together.”
– Emanuel Rusu, UVT

SAMExperience is building more than a curriculum—it’s building capacity, empathy, and innovation for a sustainable European future. The SPAC model and its flexible application empower future professionals to shape impactful, trustworthy, and green partnerships.

Lithuania Business College together with partners from Spain, Italy, Poland, and Romania is a participant in Erasmus+ KA220 Project “Sustainable Alliance Manager: Learning Experience towards Collaborative Skills with Green Consciousness”. LBC team is responsible for Work package No.2 – Alliance Manager Profile: Training Needs & Competences and Profile Definition.

Stay connected: www.samexperience.eu

Written by Lithuania Business College team (Lithuania)

Original article: https://samexperience.eu/strengthening-sustainable-alliances-in-europe-samexperience-project-in-action/