Goce Delcev University – Stip (UGD) has achieved another significant success on an international level, standing out as an ESCI Champion in the implementation of the European initiative “Erasmus Without Paper” (EWP).
The shift from traditional, administratively burdened processes to fully digital mobility management has transformed the work of the International Cooperation Department, placing students and their experience at the center of UGD’s mission.
UGD in numbers (2024–2026):
- Students: 9,000;
- Interinstitutional agreements finalized through EWP: > 67% (over 430 digital agreements);
- Digital learning agreements (outgoing students): 79%;
- Digital learning agreements (incoming students): 97%.
Excerpt from the interview with Martina Nikolovska Krstevska, International Cooperation Advisor at UGD
How did UGD first get involved in the “Erasmus Without Paper” initiative?
– Managing our contracts via the EWP network quickly turned from a mere administrative requirement into a favorite part of our work.
Our organization started getting involved in EWP when we created the first inter-institutional contracts directly via the EWP Dashboard platform. With the support and encouragement of our National Agency, we took the first digital steps towards a modern and simplified approach to partnership management.
So far, we have signed and successfully implemented over 430 digital contracts. Although switching to a completely new system always requires learning time, the process has completely transformed the traditionally slow and tedious paper-based administration into an efficient, optimized and truly fulfilling work.
What are the biggest benefits you have noticed since switching to EWP?
– Efficiency and data accuracy were the main driving forces. Digital processes have eliminated the need to print, sign, scan and physically send documents.
Our students demand simplicity, speed and transparency. For students going on mobility, the combination of EWP and the Erasmus+ app has fully met all expectations. No more paperwork and chasing signatures from departments. Students can fill out their online learning agreement directly from their phone and see in real time when it has been approved by both the UGD and the host university. By removing the stress of lost documents and administrative delays, they can fully focus on preparing for their international academic experience.
What are your plans and expectations for the next steps?
– We are entering a phase where EWP is moving from basic connectivity to full maturity. During 2026, we will fully transition to a unified digital nomination process for all incoming and outgoing students, and in the coming years we plan to fully comply with the new European standards for digital transcripts and diplomas (ESCI+ architecture).
We see UGD not only as a user of EWP, but as an active leader and promoter of its digital future, especially within our regional and university networks.
🔗 You can read the full interview, details about the challenges of implementation and future development phases on the official portal of the European Commission: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/european-student-card-initiative/community/stories/goce-delcev-university-ugd
