The EU’s objective is to contribute to the development of a quality system of education and to the implementation of a professional training policy. In particular, it aims to (art. 165 TFEU):

• develop the European dimension in education particularly through the learning and spread of member state languages;

• encourage mobility among students and teachers through, among other things, promoting academic recognition of qualifications and study periods;

• promote cooperation between institutions of learning ;

• foster the exchange of information and experiences on issues common to all member states’ education systems;

• encourage development of exchanges for young people and youth workers and strengthen young people’s participation in the democratic life of Europe;

• promote the development of distance learning.

The 5 objectives of the Lisbon Strategy (2001-2010) concerning education and training are:
Reduce by at least 20% the number of 15-year-olds with reading difficulties; reduce the average school dropout rate to less than 10%; ensure that 85% of young people aged 22 have finished the 2nd cycle of secondary education; increase the total number of mathematics, science and technology graduates by at least 15% and redress the imbalance between men and women is these subjects; ensure that an average of 12.5% of adults (aged 25 to 64) are participating in lifelong education and training. Furthermore, the European Union committed to several specific objectives in the framework of the Education and Training 2010 Programme. As these were not reached (except with regard to mathematics, science and technology), the strategic framework for European cooperation (“Education and Training 2020”), adopted in March 2009 has the following new objectives to be reached by 2020:

• At least 95% of children between four and primary school age should attend preschool;

• The average rate of 15 year olds with reading, mathematics or science difficulties should be less than 15%;

• The average school dropout rate should be less than 10%;

• The average rate of adults aged between 30 and 34 with a third-level education qualification should be at least 40%;

• An average of about 15% of adults (aged 25 to 64) should be involved in lifelong learning.

As in the other domains of coordinating, complementary or supporting actions, education and training falls under the competency of the member states but the European Union can provide specific support as long as such support does not aim to harmonise national legislations.

In the domains of education and training, the competence lies primarily with the member states. In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, the EU encourages cooperation and coordination (the open method of coordination) between member states and actions can be complemented by the EU if necessary.

In all cases, the EU must respect the cultural and linguistic diversity of member states and leave the content of teaching and the organisation of the education system under the control of the member states.

The European Union thus offers a framework in the area of education and training to European national authorities and stakeholders to cooperate to improve their policies and exchange best practice (learning activities between groups of member states on specific subjects and the creation of expert groups).

It also implements financing programmes developed and administered by the European Commission. Various community initiatives concerning education and training are also brought together in the Lifelong Learning Programme (2007-2013). Other funds promote for example exchanges with third countries.

Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the majority of EU actions concerning education and training have been adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in accordance with ordinary legislative procedure (codecision), following consultation with the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. At the Commission’s proposal, the Council also adopts recommendations.

In 2010, €1.15 billion are earmarked for lifelong education and training programmes. The Directorate General of Education and Culture has a total budget of about €1.5 billion.The lifelong learning programme for the period 2007-2013 is the main financing programme in the area of education and training.

With a budget of €7 billion, it finances projects and activities that aim to promote exchange, cooperation and mobility between the education and training systems of the European Union. 

A programme of lifelong education and training made up of sub-programmes:
 

• A programme of lifelong education and training made up of sub-programmes:

Agence Europe Education Formation France (France’s lifelong learning programme)

Located in Bordeaux, Agence Europe Education Formation France is the national branch responsible for managing decentralised European Commission actions concerning lifelong learning. It organises calls for proposals, gives technical assistance to candidates and project planners, organises administration and management of application files, distributes financial aid and ensures qualitative follow-up for the projects..

Visit the siteThe Leonardo Da Vinci Programme aims to support professional training by enabling secondary school students, trainees and employees undergoing training to do internships in companies. It also enables stakeholders in professional training to exchange best practice. 

The Erasmus Programme finances student mobility (for study periods and internships) but also mobility for teachers and staff from higher education institutions. Erasmus also facilitates cooperation between higher education institutions. 

The Grundtvig Programme finances educational programmes for adults, in particular transnational partnerships, networks and exchanges.

The Comenius Programme supports cooperation between schools in Europe from preschool through to secondary school (partnerships, training, student mobility etc.).

The Transversal Programme covers four key activities: political cooperation and innovation, the promotion of language learning, the development of innovative practices based on ICT as well as the dissemination and development of results that come out of these activities.

The Jean Monnet Programme, which is specifically concerned with issues of European integration at university level, supports establishments and associations active in the area of education and training on a European scale.

• Programmes for relations with third countries:: 

The Erasmus Mundus programme aims to promote the mobility of high-level students coming from third countries and to encourage mobility of European students and academics to these countries.

The Tempus Programme organises inter-university cooperation between the European Union’s member states and 27 countries in the Mediterranean region, the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Cooperation programmes with industrialised countries (USA, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea etc.) provide financial support for student mobility.

• The specific tools for European harmonisation of education and training:

The principle of academic recognition of qualifications is based on member states’ acceptance of the validity of a qualification obtained in other member states. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) also enables European students to continue their training in another European country without being penalised.

Created in 2004, Europass is a document that aims to make the qualifications and competencies of citizens more understandable all over Europe. It brings together in a single format the competencies and qualifications attainable in the different EU countries..

There is also support for reform of higher education (programme, governance, financing) through, in particular, the Bologna Process. This intergovernmental initiative for the creation of a European space for higher education brings together 47 countries of the Council of Europe who are trying to harmonise syllabi through a common system of three cycles – Bachelors, Masters and PhD.

Launched in 1980, the Eurydice network on education systems and policies in Europe enables the exchange of information and comparison of educational practices with a view to greater cooperation on a European scale.Community networks provide studies and distribute information – Eurydice: European information network on education; Enic-Naric: network of national information centres focussing on the academic recognition of qualifications; Eurodesk: mainly based in the CIDJ (Youth Information Centres), it provides information on youth mobility in Europe. 

Adopted in February 2008, the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning aims to enable better readability of national certifications from one European country to another.

• Exchange of information, analyses, best practice as well as defining member states’ and European institutions’ objectives in the areas of education and training.

Education and Training – European Commission

Education, training and youth – Europa

Agence Europe Education Formation – France’s agency for international and European mobility (FR)

Ploteus - Portal on Learning Opportunities throughout the European Space

Eurydice - Information portal and analyses of European education systems and policies

European Youth Portal – European Commission
Elearning portal – Europa (Promoting innovation in lifelong learning)

Mise à jour : 17/05/10