As stated in the latest Agenda on Modernisation of Europe's HE systems, enhancing short and long term employability potential of young people has become one of the central developmental priorities in European Higher Education Area developments. Current major national and international mechanisms providing indications to contribute to this aim are closely related to cooperation between higher education institutions and enterprises which represents the main focus of the EMCOSU project (short for Emerging Modes of Cooperation between Private Sector Organisations and Universities) which addresses three general questions: a) Which are the most relevant modes of cooperation between universities and enterprises and why? Several different modes will be studied as for example the creation and development of continuous education modules and programmes (HEI level), the establishment of common bodies between HEIs and enterprises, common lectures and research projects, practical training and internships, direct recruitments, conducting seminars and conferences, involvement in common bodies and associations; and financial cooperation.b) What are current characteristics of cooperation modes and their future developmental needs?; andc) Which are key developmental drivers and motives on cooperation on the side of universities and enterprises?The project’s main objectives and anticipated results include (1) a comparative survey on the modes of cooperation between employers and HEIs in selected countries (over 500 employers in 5 EU countries will be included), (2) survey among 100 Chambers of Commerce and Industry and other employers organisations on the EU level, (3) reports on cooperation between employers and HEIs and reports on key jobs and sectors for HE graduates, (4) guidelines and tools for developing cooperation between key stakeholders in higher education, (5) development of policy recommendations on national and on EU level, and (6) various dissemination activities.