Education, training, youth and sport : education and training : the key to your future.
Date: 2014-06-20
Institutions: Directorate-General for Communication
Subjects: European Union, continuing education, cooperation in the field of education, education policy, public awareness campaign, student mobility, vocational training

T hE   E u r o pEa n   
un i o n  

Ex p l a i nEd

Education  
and training — 
The key to 
your future

Education, 
training, youth 
and sport

'I n ves tm ent   in  ed uc at i on   an d  t rai n ing 
is   cr uc ial  fo r  b o os t ing   yo un g pe o p l e’s 
p er so n al  d evel o pm en t  an d  jo b 
p ro s p ec ts .'

And r o ul l a Vas sil io u,  C o mm is s io n e r  for 
Ed u cat io n,  C ult ur e,  Mul til in guali s m 
and   Yo uth

Contentsmatières

Why do we need  
European action?  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . . 3

how the Eu goes about it .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . . 6

What the Eu does  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 10

outlook  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 16

Find out more  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 16

the european Union explained: education, 
training, youth and sport

European Commission
Directorate-General for Communication
Publications
1049 Brussels
BELGIUM

Manuscript completed in March 2014

Cover and page 2 picture: © Glowimages/Getty Images 

pp. 16 — 21 × 29.7 cm
ISBN 978-92-79-24661-6 
doi:10.2775/82591

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 
2014

© European Union, 2014
Reproduction is authorised. For any use or reproduction 
of individual photos, permission must be sought directly 
from the copyright holders.

the eUropean Union 
explained

This publication is a part of a series that explains  
what the EU does in different policy areas,  
why the EU is involved and what the results are.

You can see online which ones are available  
and download them at:
http://europa.eu/pol/index_en.htm

How the EU works
Europe 2020: Europe’s growth strategy
The founding fathers of the EU

Agriculture
Borders and security
Budget
Climate action
Competition 
Consumers
Culture and audiovisual
Customs
Development and cooperation
Digital agenda
Economic and monetary union and the euro 
Education, training, youth and sport 

Employment and social affairs
Energy
Enlargement
Enterprise
Environment
Fight against fraud
Fisheries and maritime affairs 
Food safety
Foreign affairs and security policy
Humanitarian aid and civil protection
Internal market 
Justice, citizenship, fundamental rights
Migration and asylum
Public health
Regional policy
Research and innovation
Taxation
Trade
Transport 

Why do we need european action?

3

Education and training — For your 
future — For our future

For you: Investing in education and training is the key 
to your future, particularly as a young person. Learning 
a second or third language will not only make it easier 
for you to get to know other countries, their people and 
different ways of life; it may also enable you to study or 
train abroad and improve your prospects of a fulfilling 
and well-paid job in the future. Studies show that 
highly skilled adults are twice as likely to be employed 
and almost three times more likely to earn an above-
average income than poorly skilled adults.

For your country: In a world which is becoming 
increasingly interdependent, national economies will 
only achieve their full potential if they are underpinned 
by strong education and training systems. A country 
that invests intelligently in education and training will 
prosper in business, science and the arts. Moreover, 
ensuring educational opportunities for everyone will 
help to secure social justice and social cohesion.

a

i
l

o
t
o
F
/
F
M
©

did you know?

20 % of Europeans have low skills, which 
makes it difficult for them to access the 
labour market and to fully participate in 
society.

For europe: Our success in a competitive global market 
relies on a skilled labour force, producing excellent and 
innovative goods and services. But there is much more 
to education than economic outcomes: a democratic 
culture in Europe can only thrive if all of us are aware 
of our civil rights and responsibilities. Active citizenship 
needs to be taught and learned at home, in school and 
in non-formal settings. 

Erasmus+

In view of the key role of education for the future 
well-being of citizens, nations and Europe as a whole, 
the EU has developed an ambitious new programme: 
Erasmus+. The new programme aims to boost people’s 
personal development and job prospects. It supports 
all sectors of education and training, as well as non-
formal learning for youth, volunteering and grassroots 
sport. It replaces several previous programmes, with 
streamlined and simplified application rules and 
procedures. 

Since 1987, more than 3 million higher education 
students have benefited from Erasmus grants. 
Erasmus+ has increased EU funding significantly. It 
aims to support another 4 million people between 2014 
and 2020. It also significantly increases opportunities 
for cooperation between education institutions as well 
as between the worlds of education and work. 

Education was essential to the blossoming of classical Greek 
civilisation.

Education, training, youth and sport 
4

workers. One in three employers has difficulty finding 
people with appropriate skills. This is particularly true 
in the most innovative sectors of the economy, where 
there are thousands of job vacancies in the fields of 
engineering, science and technology. 

The mismatch between the skills being asked for by 
employers and those being offered by job applicants 
is called the skills gap. It is one of the most acute 
problems with regard to education and training that 
European countries face. Bridges are needed to close 
the gap. The most solid bridges are: education and 
training. 

retirees bridging the gap

The European HEAR ME project (Highly 
Educated Retirees Mentoring Early School 
Leavers) recruited retirees or people 
approaching retirement who wished to 
work with young people. The volunteers 
attended a series of courses on mentoring 
skills. The retirees then acted as mentors, 
providing help and guidance to early school 
leavers with special needs to support their 
educational and employment goals.

alarming figures — The skills gap

The global economic crisis has exposed structural 
weaknesses with serious consequences for millions of 
people. The youth unemployment rate stands at more 
than 20 % for the EU as a whole, and is above 50 % in 
some Member States. However, the global crisis is not 
the only cause of unemployment. Poor education and a 
lack of skills also contribute to joblessness.

did you know?

Not being able to read and write does not 
only ruin lives; it brings about enormous 
costs for society. The costs of illiteracy 
— in the developed countries alone — 
amount to more than €500 000 000 000 
(500 billion) each year.

Among young people in the EU, about 20 % are not 
reaching minimum levels of basic skills in reading, 
maths and science. Six million are leaving education 
and training with only lower secondary education or 
less. You can imagine the impact of these deficits: 
a recent survey revealed that only one out of two 
adults with low skill levels is employed, whereas 
the employment rate for highly skilled adults is 
substantially higher.

Does that mean that gaining qualifications is the 
best route to getting a job? It is definitely the safest. 
Many employers are desperately looking for skilled 

Manufacturers are struggling 
to find skilled workers.

©

I
n
g
o

B
a
r
t
u
s
s
e
k
/
F
o
t
o

l
i

a

The european union explained 
 
a

i
l

o
t
o
F
/
1
6
d
n
e
t
s
e
W
©

Subsidiarity in practice: what you learn at home need not be 
learned at school. 

Tackling challenges together

Millions of people and organisations are involved in 
the process of learning; from students, trainees and 
parents, to teachers, universities, enterprises and youth 
groups, all the way up to governments and the EU. 
How can the respective responsibilities be intelligently 
organised? Here, the principle of subsidiarity provides 
some guidance. It means that decisions should always 
be taken as closely as possible to the people concerned.  

5

That’s why — according to the EU treaties — each EU 
country is responsible for developing its own education, 
training and youth policies. It is up to the national 
governments to decide on the content of teaching and 
the organisation of education. Each government, in turn, 
is free to allow education matters to be dealt with at 
the regional or local level. In an intelligently organised 
education system, many decisions are further delegated 
to universities, schools, training establishments, etc.
However, in order to flourish, knowledge needs to 
grow and expand. Thus, learning should involve 
crossing borders. Therefore, the European dimension 
in education, training and youth policies is relevant. 
Cooperation at European level is necessary because 
our economies are closely interlinked and a European 
labour market has been developing over the past 
decades. Mobility and language skills are of growing 
importance. Member States can learn from each 
other and students, apprentices, other young people, 
volunteers, teachers and schools and universities can 
benefit from cross-border cooperation.

Consequently, cooperation programmes in education, 
training, and youth have been on the European agenda 
for many years: The Erasmus programme was adopted 
in 1987 and Europe’s first youth programme 'Youth for 
Europe' in 1988. However, it was not until the Treaty of 
Maastricht (1993) that formal European competences 
in the field of education, vocational training and youth 
were included in the Union’s founding treaties.

responsibilities in education —  
What do you think?

Whose role is most important in the 
process of education and training? 
Governments, schools, teachers, or parents? 

What about your own role? 

To what extent can you decide where, when 
and what to learn?

did you know?

Sport policies were added as a new EU 
competence in the Lisbon Treaty (2009). 
The benefit of having a Europe-wide vision 
is clear when it comes to dealing with 
sport-related violence, intolerance or 
doping. Sharing information at EU level 
helps Member States develop effective 
policies to counter such challenges.

Education, training, youth and sport 
6

l

©
A
e
x
a
n
d
e
r

R
a
t
h
s
/

S
h
u
t
t
e
r
s
t
o
c
k

how the eU goes about it

The EU is committed to opening minds and the doors 
of opportunity through its support for education and 
training. 

open your mind: learning is happening 
continuously 

‘Life is about learning; when you stop learning, you die’ 
(Tom Clancy).

learning is happening continuously. Talking 
to someone you did not know before provides an 
opportunity to learn about his or her views,  
preferences, etc.

it is almost impossible not to learn. Try to avoid 
learning for just an hour. Do you have any chance of 
succeeding? 

You don’t. Even in preparing the experiment, you will 
have to reflect on what activities to refrain from. As a 
result, you will develop — by your own experience — a 
clearer view of what learning is about. And personal 
experience is learning at its best.

Learning about solidarity, learning about life.

non-formal learning means learning outside the 
formal school or training environment and takes place 
through planned activities involving some form of 
learning support, for example:

•	 structured	online	learning;

•	 in-company	training;	

learning is more than sitting in a classroom.  
It is more than absorbing facts. Learning is about life. 

•	 youth	work;

Accordingly, the EU has adopted a broad and 
comprehensive approach to learning, which includes a 
whole range of different learning methods and learning 
environments, for example non-formal, informal and 
lifelong learning. 

a

i
l

o
t
o
F
/
y
f
f
a
p
©

Learning is about life.

•	 programmes	for	early	school-leavers	to	impart	

literacy or work skills.

informal learning means learning that is not 
organised or structured in terms of goals, time or 
instruction. This covers skills acquired (sometimes 
unintentionally) through life and work experience.  
For example:

•	 project-management	or	IT	skills	acquired	at	work;

•	 languages	and	intercultural	skills	acquired	during	a	

stay abroad;

•	 skills	acquired	through	volunteering,	cultural	activities	

and sports and through activities at home (for 
example taking care of a child).

The european union explained 
 
 
 
lifelong learning means learning new things 
throughout your life, particularly after having completed 
an initial formal education. Remember: it is never too 
late to learn!

lifelong learning for people with 
intellectual disabilities

For people with intellectual disabilities, 
lifelong learning is not only about learning 
new skills. It is also about being included in 
society, being able to represent oneself and 
taking more control of one’s daily life. 
However, many training courses and 
classes are not suited for people with 
intellectual disabilities. Often, the teaching 
materials are difficult to read and it is 
difficult to understand what the teacher is 
saying. 

That’s why organisations from many EU 
countries have come together and set up 
the Pathways project. The participants 
have developed training courses, booklets 
and online tools, explaining how to make 
information more accessible. This project 
will make it easier for people with 
intellectual disabilities to take part in 
lifelong learning.

7

•	 The	EU	supports	cooperation	projects	between youth 

organisations worldwide. These projects aim to 
improve the quality and recognition of youth work, 
non-formal learning and volunteering in different 
regions of the world and particularly in developing 
countries.

•	 The	Jean Monnet programme encourages teaching, 
research and reflection on European integration 
worldwide. Between 1990 and 2011, the Jean Monnet 
programme helped to set up approximately 3 700 
projects in the field of European integration studies, 
including 165 Jean Monnet European Centres of 
Excellence, around 880 university chairs and almost 
2 200 permanent courses and European modules.  
The programme now operates in 72 countries 
throughout the world.

promoting knowledge about the Eu 
worldwide

‘The Jean Monnet Action is really crucial. 
The economics programme now serves as 
a vehicle for developing EU-related 
curricula, inviting European academics and 
practitioners... and promoting various 
activities to increase the Korean public’s 
awareness about the EU.’

Professor Woosik Moon, Jean Monnet Chair 
of EU Economics at Seoul National 
University, South Korea.

open your door: cooperation with the 
world

The Eu plays a supporting role

Europe is not a closed shop — particularly when it 
comes to education and training. 

•	 The	EU	supports	cooperation	between	higher	

education institutions around the world aiming 
at the development and modernisation of higher 
education institutions in the partner countries. 
Partner institutions can be chosen in EU neighbouring 
countries, the western Balkans and Russia as well as 
regions in Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Member States are responsible for the content and 
organisation of their education and vocational training 
systems. The EU respects the diversity of national rules 
and priorities and is not entitled to harmonise the laws 
and regulations of the EU countries in this field (Articles 
165 and 166 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the 
European Union).

Accordingly, the EU is not in a position to lay down the 
rules on education, training and youth policy. Does that 
mean that the EU stands by and just watches? Not at 
all! The EU plays a unique role in the European learning 
process as a coordinator, facilitator and advisor. The 

Education, training, youth and sportEU encourages cooperation between Member States 
and supplements their action. What does that mean in 
practice? 

It means, for instance, that the EU: 

•	 supports students, doctoral candidates, trainees, 
teachers, trainers, and lecturers to study, teach, 
or gain work experience abroad and young people 
to participate in youth exchanges or volunteering 
abroad;

•	 encourages Member States to reform and modernise 

education and training systems so that they are 
better equipped to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s 
challenges;

•	 facilitates adaptation to changes and integration 

into the labour market, in particular through 
vocational education and training;

•	 promotes cooperation between governments, 
universities, colleges and schools, training 
establishments and enterprises.

Why cooperate at Eu level?

Cooperation at EU level helps European countries to 
improve their education systems. It allows countries to 
work together and to learn from each other by sharing 
best policy practices. 

Cooperation at Eu level:   
the European semester

Europe 2020 is the EU’s strategy for economic growth 
and job creation. Its cornerstone is the European 
semester, set up in 2011 as a yearly cycle of economic 
policy coordination and dialogue involving European 
institutions, EU governments and national parliaments. 
As part of this exercise, the EU adopts country-
specific recommendations which are proposed by 
the Commission and adopted by the Council. They aim 
to give guidance to Member States on how to ensure 
competitiveness and job creation. As education and 
training are of growing importance for employment and 
the economy, the country-specific recommendations 
also address — to a considerable and increasing 
extent — issues linked to education and training.

8

Cooperation at Eu-level: the mobility 
scoreboard

With the participation of the Member 
States, the EU has developed the mobility 
scoreboard. The scoreboard identifies five 
key factors that influence young people’s 
motivation and ability to study or train 
abroad. It appears (as of January 2014) 
that the support varies significantly 
between Member States.

 — Germany, Belgium, Spain, France and 
Italy provide the most comprehensive 
information and guidance about 
mobility opportunities.  

 — Cyprus, Luxembourg and the German-

speaking part of Belgium place greatest 
emphasis on language learning in 
schools. This is often an important 
factor for deciding to study, train or 
work abroad. 

 — The Flemish part of Belgium, Germany, 
Italy and Austria stand out for having 
well-developed financial support for 
students from disadvantaged 
backgrounds who wish to study or train 
abroad.

The Eu pursues ambitious goals

Learning is about progress. The same is true of 
education and training policies. Therefore, to measure 
progress, the EU and its Member States agreed to set 
the following benchmarks for 2020 .

•	 The	share	of	15-year-olds	with	insufficient	abilities	in	
reading, maths and science should be less than 15 %.

•	 School	dropout	rates	should	be	reduced	to	less	than	

10 %.

The european union explained•	 At	least	40	%	of	young	adults	should	complete	higher	

education.

•	 At	least	20	%	of	higher	education	graduates	should	

have had a period of study or training abroad.

Where do we stand today? Are we on track for reaching 
the ambitious goals set for 2020? According to the PISA 
2012 survey the picture is mixed. 

Whatever the outcome in certain subjects, or for certain 
countries, much remains to be done. As long as millions 
of young people in the EU are struggling with reading, 
writing, and maths, we cannot lean back and relax. 

9

a

i
l

o
t
o
F
/
l
i

a
r
n
a
c
S
©

Estonia (this is its capital Tallin) ensures equal learning 
opportunities.

piSa 2012 survey

The Programme for International Student 
Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide study by 
the Organisation for Economic Cooperation 
and Development (OECD). PISA assesses 
the extent to which 15-year-old students 
have acquired key knowledge and skills in 
maths, reading, and science. The first 
survey was performed in 2000, and the 
assessment has since been repeated every 
3 years. All 34 OECD member countries 
and 31 partner countries and economies 
participated in PISA 2012. Here are some 
of the results.

The Eu is improving in reading and 
science!

The EU is on its way to reaching the 
benchmark of having fewer than 15 % of 
students with insufficient abilities by 2020.

reading:
23.1 % in 2006  →  17.8 % in 2012.

Science:
20.3 % in 2006  →  16.6 % in 2012

We are lagging behind in maths! 

The average share of low-achieving 
students in maths has essentially remained 
the same in PISA 2012 (22.1%) in 
comparison to PISA 2009 (22.3%). 

Some countries stand out!

Four EU Member States (Estonia, Finland, 
Poland and the Netherlands) are among 
the top performing countries with a rate of 
low achievers in maths better than the EU 
benchmark of 15 %.

Estonia is best in class regarding its 
proportion of low achievers in maths: only 
10.5 % (compared to 22.1% in the EU as a 
whole). 

others are way behind!

There are EU Member States where 
between one half and one third of the  
15-year-olds score at the lowest PISA level.

Education, training, youth and sport 
 
10

•	 Key	Action	3	—	Policy	reform:	supports	the	processes	
of reflection, dialogue and evidence-building needed 
to deliver reform in education, training and youth 
policies and systems.

Key action 1: learning mobility of 
individuals

This section outlines Erasmus+ opportunities for all 
kinds of learners and staff in education, training and 
youth organisations.

Are you …
… a student in higher education wanting to study or 
train abroad?
… in vocational education or training and looking to 
expand your skills?
… a young person wishing to benefit from a youth 
exchange or to volunteer abroad?
… a teacher, employee or youth worker, wanting to 
teach or train abroad?

Then this section may contain information on new 
opportunities for you.

When your mobility application has been 
approved, you will be asked to check your 
language competences and offered a 
language course either before leaving or 
during your stay abroad. Contact your 
home institution or organisation to find out 
more about this new opportunity offered by 
Erasmus+. Brush up your language skills 
and get ready to move!

What the eU does

The EU is investing €14.7 billion in Erasmus+, the new 
EU programme for education, training, youth and sport 
for 2014–20. 

Erasmus+ seeks to boost the job prospects and the 
personal development of young people. It helps our 
education, training and youth systems deliver teaching 
and learning that gives people the skills they need in 
today’s and tomorrow’s labour market and society.

If you are interested in EU funding for education, 
training, youth and sport, then you will find essential 
information here. More detailed information is available 
in the Programme guide for applicants. You will find the 
programme guide and a lot of other information on the 
Erasmus+ website (http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/
erasmus-plus).

Erasmus+ has three key actions

•	 Key	Action	1	—	Learning	mobility:	support	for	

studying, working, teaching, training or developing 
professional skills and competences abroad

•	 Key	Action	2	—	Cooperation	and	partnership:	

opportunities for collaborative partnerships between 
education, training and youth institutions, as well as 
between the worlds of education and work

languages for people on the move

The better your language skills, the more 
you will benefit from your time abroad. 
Practicing different languages is an 
important aspect of most mobility actions. 
If you’re a university student, volunteer or 
staff member leaving for at least 2 
months, or a vocational learner staying 
abroad for at least 1 month, Erasmus+ 
offers you the chance to reinforce your 
knowledge of the language you will use for 
studying, working or volunteering.

The european union explained11

STudEnTS  in highEr EduCa Tion

MaSTEr’S STudEnT  loanS 

Study periods: students can spend 3 to 12 months 
studying at a university or college in another country.

Traineeships: alternatively, they can do a traineeship in 
a workplace abroad lasting from 2 to 12 months.

Recent higher education graduates can also do a 
traineeship abroad within 1 year of graduation. But plan 
ahead! You have to be selected by your university or 
college during your last year of study.

Erasmus+ also supports some European students 
to study in the rest of the world and students from 
elsewhere in the world to study in Europe. 

‘Studying at another university helped me 
broaden the scope of my field of study 
more than ever before. But the best part of 
the experience was meeting a lot of people 
with whom I am sure to work in the future.’

Robert (United Kingdom) on studying 
industrial design for 10 months at Delft 
University of Technology, the Netherlands.

Erasmus+ supports new low-cost loans to help master’s 
students to study in other European countries. Students 
are able to apply for a favourable loan for a full 
master’s degree abroad and can borrow up to €12 000 
for a 1-year course or up to €18 000 for a 2-year 
course. 

JoinT MaSTEr’S  dEgrEES

Erasmus+ offers master’s students worldwide the 
chance of a scholarship to follow joint, high-level 
international study programmes run by university 
partnerships. The joint master’s programmes lead to a 
degree issued jointly by all or some of the participating 
institutions. You can get more information from the 
international office of your higher education institution. 

MobiliTy in voCaTional EduCaTion and Training 

Mobility abroad can help young people in vocational 
education and training to gain the skills needed for 
today’s competitive employment market.

Upper secondary students in vocational training schools, 
trainees and apprentices may complete a traineeship 
or apprenticeship abroad, hosted by a company, a 
workplace (for example an NGO or public organisation) 
or vocational school, with a period of work-based 
learning in a company. Traineeships may last from 2 
weeks to 1 year.

a

i
l

o
t
o
F
/
y
k
s
v
o
r
k
o
P

a
n
i
r
e
t
a
k
E
©

Broaden your horizons; study 
abroad.

Education, training, youth and sport 
 
12

feel more engaged as citizens and experience another 
way of life. A volunteering activity can last up to 1 year 
and participants can volunteer to support all kinds of 
causes, either within or outside the European Union.

Youth exchanges are open to young people aged 
between 13 and 30. The European Voluntary Service is 
open to young people aged between 17 and 30.

‘In just 1 year with the European Voluntary 
Service, I’ve learned more than I’ve ever 
learned before. I would definitely 
recommend the voluntary service to 
anybody who is open-minded and wants to 
gain experience.’

Clara (Germany) on participating in a 
project to assist recently arrived 
immigrants in Brussels, Belgium, at the 
Jozef Swinnen Community Centre.

If you are interested in applying, you should get in 
touch with the national agency in your country. 

STaFF and youTh WorkEr MobiliTy

If you are a teacher or you work in an enterprise, 
you can teach at an institution abroad, gaining new 
professional perspectives, widening your networks and 
helping to modernise Europe’s education and training 
systems and make them more international.

Teachers, non-teaching staff and youth workers 
can also follow training abroad, including structured 
courses, professionally focused language training, 
training events and job shadowing, to develop new 
knowledge and ideas that you can put into practice 
when you get home. These activities can last from 
2 days to 2 months.

If you are interested in applying, you should approach 
the educational institution or youth organisation  
you are working for. Enterprise staff must be invited  
by the higher education institution where they intend  
to teach.

a

i
l

o
t
o
F
/
s
u
o
v
-
z
e
r
t
s
u

l
l
i

©

Gather professional experience in a country known  
for its expertise.

Also, recent graduates (that is former apprentices) may 
participate in a mobility activity. They must undertake 
their traineeship abroad within 1 year of qualifying.

‘My mobility experience has definitely 
helped further my career. Without it, I 
wouldn’t have had the confidence to apply 
for the Young Chef of the Year competition, 
never mind winning it. I’d highly 
recommend this to anyone. My trip to 
France was, and to this day, still is, one of 
my greatest memories.’

Deborah (United Kingdom) on experiencing 
a work traineeship in Lyon, France.

If you are interested in applying, you should approach 
your vocational education and training institution. 

youTh MobiliTy

youth exchanges help young people acquire skills like 
project management and teamwork. Such opportunities 
outside the school environment enable groups of 
young people to undertake a structured programme 
of activities (such as a mix of workshops, exercises, 
debates and role plays) in another country within or 
outside the EU for up to 21 days.

The European voluntary Service offers an ideal 
opportunity for young people to develop skills by 
contributing to the daily work of organisations in areas 
such as social care, the environment, non-formal 
education programmes, ICT, culture and many others. 
It is also a chance for them to grow in self-confidence, 

The european union explained 
©
V
o
l
k
e
r

L
a
n
n
e
r
t

/

i

U
n
v
e
r
s
i
t
ä
t

B
o
n
n

The University of Bonn’s international strategy includes  
the exchange of young scientists, students and  
administrative staff.

‘My experience consisted of job shadowing 
at the Deaf Federation of Cyprus in order 
to learn about their activities and 
experiences … This experience allowed me 
to better understand Cypriot deaf culture, 
further develop my sign language 
competences and gain a better 
understanding of the learning process that 
has to be implemented when teaching deaf 
learners.’

Christophe (France), a sign language 
instructor, on his job shadowing in Cyprus.

Key action 2: support for cooperation 
and partnership

Are you an organisation or institution in the field of 
education, training or youth, wishing to work across 
borders with peers in your own or other sectors, or with 
the world of work, in order to innovate and modernise 
your practices? 

Are you a company, research organisation, regional 
authority, association, socioeconomic partner or NGO 
wishing to cooperate with organisations or institutions 
in the field of education, training or youth to strengthen 
cooperation, transfer knowledge and implement 
innovative practices? 

Then there are various kinds of partnership projects in 
Erasmus+ which may be relevant to you.

13

STraTEgiC parTnErShipS  WiThin and aCroSS ThE 
EduCaTion, Training and youTh FiEldS  and 
WiTh ThE  World oF Work

Strategic partnerships seek to develop, transfer and 
implement innovative education, training and youth 
practices through cross-border cooperation among 
organisations of different kinds.

To achieve these aims, Erasmus+ supports 
organisations active in the fields of education, training 
and youth from different countries. The kinds of 
activities which can be supported include:

•	 developing	joint	study	programmes,	new	curricula,	
innovative teaching methods (for instance better 
exploitation of ICT) and new teaching/training 
materials, methods and practices (for example for 
languages);

•	 networking	and	peer	learning	to	allow	students	and	

staff to study real-life cases with enterprises, aiming 
at developing an entrepreneurial mindset and creative 
thinking; 

•	 the	validation	of	competences	acquired	through	

non-formal and informal learning at national level 
by referencing them to EU frameworks and using EU 
documentation instruments.

How to apply: educational institutions, youth 
organisations or representatives of other interested 
organisations should contact the national agency in 
their country.

©

l

e
v

l

d
o
g
a
c
h
o
v
/
F
o
t
o

l
i

a

E-learning allows for flexible, self-paced learning.

Education, training, youth and sport 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a

i
l

o
t
o
F
/
s
n
v
N
g
r
e
S
©

14

Ready to take the jump? 
Acquire entrepreneurial skills 
at university level.

knoWlEdgE allianCES: CoopEra Tion bETWEEn 
highEr EduCaTion inSTiTuTionS  and 
EnTErpriSES

Knowledge alliances must involve a minimum of six 
organisations from at least three different programme 
countries (with at least two enterprises and two 
academic partners). 

Erasmus+ funds knowledge alliances between higher 
education institutions and enterprises to help bridge the 
gap between the worlds of higher education and work. 
Knowledge alliances will also help to equip students 
and staff with more entrepreneurial skills and make 
higher education institutions and companies more 
entrepreneurial.

Knowledge alliances may support activities addressed at:

•	 developing	and	implementing	new	learning	and	

teaching methods (like new multidisciplinary curricula 
and learner-centred and real problem-based teaching 
and learning);

•	 creating	structures	for	the	learning	of	transversal	

SECTor SkillS allianCES: CoopEraTion bETWEEn 
providErS oF voCaTional EduCaTion and 
Training and ThE World oF Work 

Sector skills alliances are cross-border projects related 
to the skills which workers need for employment in 
different sectors. They may support activities addressed 
at:

•	 defining	skills	and	training	provision	needs	in	a	given	
specific economic sector (for example gathering and 
interpreting evidence of skills needed on the labour 
market in a given economic sector);

skills and their application throughout higher 
education programmes. These should be developed in 
cooperation with enterprises, thereby strengthening 
employability, creativity and new professional 
pathways;

•	 designing	sector-specific	curricula	and	programmes	
and integrating innovative approaches to teaching 
and learning, as well as including opportunities to 
apply knowledge in ‘real-life’ workplace situations and 
to develop entrepreneurial mindsets.

•	 introducing	entrepreneurship	education	into	any	

discipline to provide students, researchers, staff and 
educators with the knowledge, skills and motivation 
to engage in entrepreneurial activities.

Sector skills alliances must involve at least nine 
different organisations from at least three programme 
countries, including two Member States.

The european union explained 
 
15

onlinE ToolS For SChool TEaChErS and adulT 
EduCaTion

etwinning supports and reinforces cooperation 
between schools by providing support, useful tools and 
a place to work together online. eTwinning can be used 
to support mobility projects or strategic partnerships, or 
to collaborate online.

In addition, eTwinning contributes to the professional 
development of teachers and staff by offering online 
learning materials and networking opportunities 
throughout Europe.

All schools and preschools in the programme countries 
are welcome to use eTwinning at any time by 
registering in the eTwinning portal:  
http://www.etwinning.net

epale (Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in 
Europe) is an online space to exchange, showcase 
and disseminate methods of good practice in adult 
education. It creates communities of adult education 
staff across the EU. The platform will be available by 
the end of 2014.

Key action 3: support for policy reform 

Erasmus+ supports policy actions aimed at achieving 
the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy and other 
related strategies. The actions involve evidence 
gathering, analysis and peer-learning, for instance by 
thematic and country-specific expertise and studies 
on policy issues and reforms. They also encourage 
meetings between young people and decision-makers in 
the form of structured dialogue.

The activities are intended to improve the quality and 
efficiency of education, training and youth systems, 
promote mutual learning and transnational cooperation, 
develop knowledge and encourage the active 
participation of young people in democratic life.

CapaCiTy-building in highEr EduCa Tion: 
CoopEraTion WiTh highEr EduCa Tion 
inSTiTuTionS  in parTnEr CounTriES

Erasmus+ supports cooperation projects with higher 
education institutions around the world, aiming at the 
development and modernisation of higher education 
institutions in the partner countries. Partner institutions 
can be chosen in EU neighbouring countries, the 
western Balkans and Russia, as well as regions in 
Asia, Latin America and African, Caribbean and Pacific  
countries.

Future projects could include:

•	 joint	projects	developing	new	curricula	and	degrees,	

learning and teaching methodologies, staff 
development, quality assurance, new governance and 
management structures and processes;

•	 projects	for	developing	structural	reforms	at	national	
level with support of authorities in partner countries 
(for example policy modernisation, governance and 
management of higher education systems).

CapaCity-bUilding in the Field oF  yoUth: 
Cooperation With yoUth organisations in 
partner CoUntries

Erasmus+ supports cooperation projects between 
organisations active in the field of youth around 
the world. These projects aim to improve the quality 
and recognition of youth work, non-formal learning 
and volunteering in different regions of the world — 
particularly in developing countries.

Examples of activities include:

•	 cooperation,	networking	and	peer-learning	among	

youth organisations;

•	 working	together	to	raise	awareness	and	recognition	
of volunteering and non-formal learning in partner 
countries;

•	 developing	and	implementing	good	practices	and	
tools for the professional development of youth 
workers and trainers.

Education, training, youth and sportoutlook

16

N
A
-
7
0
-
1
2
-
0
1
4
-
E
N
-
C

From 2014 to 2020 about 4 million people and 125 000 institutions will directly benefit from Erasmus+.  

key figures: Erasmus+ (2014–20) 

overall budget

€14.7 billion 
Additional funds will be allocated for funding the actions with third countries (partner 
countries).

overall mobility opportunities

More than 4 million people

higher education

Around 2 million students

vocational education and training 
students

Around 650 000 students and apprentices

Staff mobility

Around 800 000 lecturers, teachers, trainers, education staff and youth workers

volunteer and youth exchange 
schemes

Master’s degree loan guarantee 
scheme

More than 500 000 young people

Around 200 000 students

Joint master’s degrees

More than 25 000 students

Strategic partnerships

knowledge alliances

Sector skills alliances

Around 25 000 strategic partnerships linking together 125 000 schools, vocational 
education and training institutions, higher and adult education institutions, youth 
organisations and enterprises

More than 150 knowledge alliances set up by 1 500 higher education institutions and 
enterprises

More than 150 sector skills alliances set up by 2 000 vocational education and training 
providers and enterprises

Find out more

 X general information on education and training on European level: http://ec.europa.eu/education 
 X Erasmus+: http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus
 X Executive agency: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu 
 X national agencies: http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/national-agencies_en.htm  
 X Teachers’ Corner: http://europa.eu/teachers-corner  

Teachers’ Corner provides educational material about the European Union in 23 languages. It contains all kinds 
of material (websites, booklets, online games, videos, etc.) designed for primary and secondary school pupils. 
Teachers will find plenty of inspiration here, whether they want to teach pupils about the history of the EU, how 
it works or what it does or to debate EU policies in greater detail. All teaching resources are free of charge. 

 X Questions about the European union? Europe direct can help: 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 —  

http://europedirect.europa.eu

ISBN 978-92-79-24661-6 
doi:10.2775/82591

The european union explained