Top-quality education and training are vital if Europe is to develop as a knowledge society and compete effectively in the globalised economy. Education policy as such is decided by each EU country, but together they set joint goals and share best practices.
The EU funds programmes that help citizens make the most of their personal development and the EU’s economic potential by studying, training or doing volunteer work in other countries.
For 2007-13, the EU has allocated almost €13 billion to lifelong learning and worldwide exchanges. The main programmes are:
EU funding also promotes policy cooperation, language learning, e learning and dissemination, and exchange of best practices.
EU-wide recognition of vocational qualifications is a priority.
Students, teachers and educational establishments from other countries – particularly those bordering the EU or planning to join – are eligible for many of these programmes. Through other programmes and cooperation agreements, the EU also promotes exchanges and courses in European integration with some 80 countries around the world.
The Europass documents help citizens present their competences and qualifications, highlighting in a standard format what they have learnt and are able to do. This makes it easier for employers to understand qualifications from other countries, and for workers to job hunt abroad. They include:
The EU's scheme for studying abroad is named after Erasmus, a 16th century scholar.
In addition to the Europass documents, the EU is making national qualification systems more comparable through a common European Qualifications Framework (EQF) for lifelong learning. By 2012, every new qualification issued in the EU will have a reference to one of the eight EQF reference levels.
EU Member States are working together with five other countries through the ‘Copenhagen Process’, a forum to discuss vocational education and training (VET) issues, including a European credit system and quality-assurance network.
In higher education, the EU is working with 20 other countries through the ‘Bologna Process’ to create the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). This process promotes mutual recognition of periods of study, comparable qualifications and uniform quality standards.
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) – set up to promote excellence in higher education, research and innovation – will receive €309m in EU funding for 2008 13.
The EIT helps translate research results into commercial applications by creating ‘knowledge and innovation communities’ bringing together universities, research organisations, companies and foundations.
Initial priorities include climate change, renewable sources of energy and the next generation of information and communication technologies.
The Youth on the Move initiative seeks to improve young people’s education and employability by:
The EU Youth Strategy (2009) and European Youth Pact (2005) established common principles on opportunities for young people.
The Strategy:
Youth in Action promotes active involvement in the community and supports projects giving young people a greater sense of EU citizenship – for example, by volunteering in another country via the European Voluntary Service. Between 2007-13, the EU will have invested nearly €900m in these activities.
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