OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND THE SDGS IN THE EU – A CLUSTER ANALYSIS

The aim of this study is to classify Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the European Union (EU) based on the financial and knowledge barriers they face in im- plementing sustainable practices. The data was collected from European universities through the European Deans Council for Sustainable Development (DECODE) sustain- ability project. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to group countries based on their sustainability barriers, and each cluster was analyzed based on the socio-economic struc- ture of the countries and the management organization of the universities. The findings suggest that countries with low scores on both the knowledge and financial side exhibit similarities and those facing higher financial barriers also tend to experience lower levels of knowledge barriers. The study provides valuable insights into the challenges and needs of HEIs in each country regarding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This research can guide policymakers and universities in developing effective strategies to overcome financial and knowledge barriers and promote sustainability practices in HEIs.