Up2U · Project

Digital Learning Platform Connecting High Schools to University-Grade Tools and Content

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Imagine high school students suddenly getting access to the same digital tools and cloud services that university researchers use — but simplified for their level. Up2U built an online ecosystem where teachers and students can co-create lessons, share files across schools, and learn in ways that mix classroom work with online collaboration. Think of it as a "Google Workspace for schools" but designed specifically to prepare teenagers for how universities actually work. It was tested across 32 schools in 13 countries.

By the numbers

Schools piloted across Europe

Consortium partners

Countries represented

SMEs in consortium developing business models

Total project deliverables

The business problem

What needed solving

Schools across Europe use fragmented, outdated digital tools that don't prepare students for the technology-rich environments they'll face at university. Teachers lack access to university-grade learning platforms, cloud collaboration tools, and open educational content — creating a digital gap that leaves students underprepared and schools locked into expensive, siloed vendor solutions.

The solution

What was built

The project built a federated digital learning ecosystem including: an application toolbox with APIs for integrating learning tools, a federated cloud storage and file-sharing platform based on the Open Cloud Mesh protocol, an Open Educational Resource aggregation platform with metadata services, and a complete pilot infrastructure deployed across 32 schools. All 30 deliverables were completed, with 5 demonstrated prototypes.

Audience

Who needs this

EdTech companies expanding from higher education into K-12 marketsCloud service providers targeting the education sector in EuropeEducational publishers seeking digital content distribution platformsNational education ministries modernizing school IT infrastructureSchool network operators looking for GDPR-compliant collaboration tools

Business applications

Who can put this to work

EdTech / Learning Management

SME

Target: EdTech companies or LMS providers looking to expand into the K-12 segment

If you are an EdTech company struggling to bridge your university platform down to secondary schools — this project developed a complete learning ecosystem tested across 32 schools in 13 countries. It includes an application toolbox, federated cloud storage, and an Open Educational Resource aggregation platform. The open architecture means you could integrate these components into your existing product rather than building from scratch.

Cloud Services / IT Infrastructure

mid-size

Target: Cloud service providers targeting education markets

If you are a cloud provider trying to enter the education sector — this project built and demonstrated federated cloud storage with cross-platform interoperability using the Open Cloud Mesh protocol. It was deployed across a consortium of 20 partners in 13 countries, proving it works at international scale. The file sync-and-share platform handles the compliance and data sovereignty issues that block most cloud providers from schools.

Educational Publishing / Content

any

Target: Educational publishers or content platforms seeking digital distribution

If you are an educational publisher looking for digital channels — this project created an Open Educational Resource aggregation and exposure platform that indexes and delivers learning content with standardized metadata. It connects directly to school environments where 32 pilot schools were already using it. The platform supports co-creation of content, turning passive consumers into active contributors.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt or license this platform?

The project investigated business models specifically to ensure sustainability after funding ended. The consortium included 5 SMEs and developed business plans for continued operation. Based on available project data, the platform was designed as a federated marketplace — suggesting a freemium or subscription model — but specific pricing is not published in the deliverables.

Can this scale beyond the 32 pilot schools?

Yes. The project explicitly analyzed scalability in its pilot architecture deliverable, and the federated design means new schools can join the ecosystem without centralized bottlenecks. The consortium spanned 13 countries with 20 partners, and the infrastructure was built on GÉANT's pan-European research network backbone.

Who owns the intellectual property and can I use the technology?

The coordinator is GÉANT, the pan-European research and education network. The project used and contributed to open protocols like Open Cloud Mesh, and the OER platform is designed around open educational resources. Based on available project data, most components appear to be open-source or openly licensed, but specific IP terms should be confirmed with the coordinator.

Is the platform still operational after the project ended?

The project ran until May 2020 and the website up2university.eu was established as the access point. The consortium specifically developed business plans for post-project sustainability. Based on available project data, the platform was designed to survive beyond the funding period through its marketplace model.

How does this integrate with existing school IT systems?

The application toolbox was built with APIs that connect to cloud infrastructure and other tools. The federated cloud storage uses the Open Cloud Mesh protocol for cross-platform interoperability, meaning it can work alongside existing file-sharing systems rather than replacing them. The 32-school pilot demonstrated real-world integration across different national IT environments.

Does this meet data protection regulations for minors?

The project included a security roadmap with a dedicated deliverable assessing adoption of security recommendations. Given the target age group of 11-19 year olds across 13 EU countries, GDPR compliance for minors was a design requirement. Specific certifications should be verified with the coordinator.

What technical support is available?

The consortium includes GÉANT (Europe's research network operator), 7 universities, and 3 research organizations providing deep technical expertise. The 5 SME partners were specifically involved in business model development and operational sustainability. Support arrangements would depend on the licensing or partnership model agreed with the coordinator.

Consortium

Who built it

The Up2U consortium is a strong 20-partner group spread across 13 countries, led by GÉANT — the organization that runs Europe's backbone research network. With 7 universities providing pedagogical expertise, 3 research organizations handling technical development, and 5 SMEs focused on business model viability, the mix is well-suited for bringing a research platform to market. The 15% industry ratio is modest, but GÉANT itself operates critical infrastructure used by every university in Europe, giving this project an unmatched distribution channel. The 3 dedicated industry partners and 5 SMEs signal that commercial sustainability was taken seriously, not left as an afterthought.

GEANT VERENIGINGCoordinator · NL
MACHBA - INTERUNIVERSITY COMPUTATION CENTERparticipant · IL
KORMANYZATI INFORMATIKAI FEJLESZTESI UGYNOKSEGparticipant · HU
ETHNICON METSOVION POLYTECHNIONparticipant · EL
NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGYparticipant · EL
NORDUNET A/Sthirdparty · DK
INSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE ENGENHARIA DO PORTOparticipant · PT
INSTYTUT CHEMII BIOORGANICZNEJ POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUKparticipant · PL
CONSORTIUM GARRparticipant · IT
ORGANISATION EUROPEENNE POUR LA RECHERCHE NUCLEAIREparticipant · CH
TEL AVIV UNIVERSITYparticipant · IL
KAUNO TECHNOLOGIJOS UNIVERSITETASparticipant · LT
GESELLSCHAFT FUR WISSENSCHAFTLICHE DATENVERARBEITUNG MBH GOTTINGENparticipant · DE
GEANT LIMITEDthirdparty · UK
THE OPEN UNIVERSITYparticipant · UK
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZAparticipant · IT
UNIVERSIDAD DE VIGOparticipant · ES
FUNDACAO PARA A CIENCIA E A TECNOLOGIAparticipant · PT

How to reach the team

GÉANT Vereniging (Netherlands) — the coordinator of Europe's research network; reachable through their institutional channels or the project website.

Order a report on this consortium See GEANT VERENIGING profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing Up2U's federated learning platform or integrating its OER tools into your EdTech product? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the GÉANT coordination team and relevant technical partners.

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