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The heterogeneous higher education systems of Nordic countries initiated reforms that are somewhat similar to those of the rest of Europe: school independence, changes in governance, empowered management, use of external partners, diversified funding, increased use of private funds, and introduction of accountability and assessment procedures. The Bologna process and the Lisbon agenda are not the causes of these, but they have given current initiatives a boost. The reform of the Danish system was performed in response to national pressures and given legitimacy by the Lisbon and Bologna agendas. Finnish and Swedish systems were reformed to tackle the economic crisis and globalization. Finally the will to cooperate and implement European directives does not result in the homogenization of Nordic systems.