This work presents results from systematic analysis of the challenges for the future of higher education in European and neighboring countries as it was extracted from the Bologna experts and Higher Education Reform experts' opinions. Opinions of more than 100 experts from 35 countries were documented and analyzed. Significant differences in the opinions on future challenges in higher education were found to be addressed by opinions of experts from European Union in comparison to neighbouring countries. Differences were recorded in the amount and scope of challenges presented by experts from different countries and also the data collected differs significantly from the official policy for future development as reflects from official documentation of the European Commission. This work provides an insight into the bottom up implementation of the Bologna process and it can be useful for academics and policymakers in the field of higher education.