European Education Area
The pace of digitalisation in Europe is bringing about rapid changes also in skills needs, laying bare critical skills mismatches and gaps between the offer of education and training and the realities of the labour market. As a result, a number of developments within the higher education sector have sought to bridge these gaps and ensure education and training in Europe can meet the demands of the world of work.
Two strategies on EU level underpin this: the European Strategy for Universities and a Commission proposal for a Council Recommendation on building bridges for effective European higher education cooperation. What is more, access to quality and inclusive education, training and lifelong learning is a right for all citizens, as enshrined within the European Pillar of Social Rights. To support this process, the European Education Area (ERA) provides a framework to boost the collaboration between EU Member States and higher education institutions, and ultimately support the capacity of education and training to adapt to changing circumstances and contribute to creating a more resilient and inclusive Europe.
About this initiative
The European Education Area (EEA) fosters collaboration among European Union Member States to build more resilient and inclusive national education and training systems. The idea for the initiative was born at the 2017 Social Summit in Sweden, with the first packages under it adopted in 2018, and respectively, 2019. In September 2020, the Commission outlined its renewed vision for the European Education Area and the concrete actions to achieve it in a Commission Communication. The Council of the EU responded with the February 2021 Resolution on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training for the period 2021-2030.
Alongside these channels for cooperation, the Education and Training Monitor reports on the progress made towards targets and indicators related to the achievement of the European Education Area. An evaluation report, taking stock of a decade of cooperation and good practices, is expected by the end of 2025.
Main achievements of the European Education Area
Since then, significant progress has been made:
- almost 95% of children attending early childhood education from the age of 4;
- more than 40% of young adults acquiring a higher education qualification;
- almost 90% of young people leaving education with either an upper secondary diploma or enrolment in training;
- 80% of recent Erasmus+ graduates gaining employment in less than 3 months after graduating.
While the results above highlight solid developments, further work is needed, especially in education areas concerning the share of 15-year olds with low ability in reading, maths, and science, and adult participation in lifelong learning initiatives.
