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European Education Area

Quality education and training for all

Strategic Framework

The European Education Area strategic framework promotes collaboration between European Union Member States and key stakeholders and allows the monitoring of progress towards the achievement of their collective vision.

What is the strategic framework?

The European Education Area strategic framework was put in place to structure collaboration between European Union (EU) Member States and key stakeholders to achieve their collective vision.

The framework does so by

  • strengthening means of policy cooperation and reaching out to stakeholders to encourage their engagement with the initiative
  • enhancing synergies with other relevant initiatives, including the European Research Area and the Bologna Process
  • identifying targets and indicators to guide work and monitor progress towards achieving the EEA
  • fostering the integration of education and training into the European Semester process

What do we want to achieve together?

The following seven targets should be attained to fully realise the European Education Area.

By 2025

  • at least 60% of recent graduates from VET should benefit from exposure to work-based learning during their vocational education and training
  • at least 47% of adults aged 25-64 should have participated in learning during the last 12 months

By 2030

  • less than 15% of 15-year-olds should be low-achievers in reading, mathematics and science
  • less than 15% of eight-graders should be low-achievers in computer and information literacy
  • at least 96% of children between 3 years old and the starting age for compulsory primary education should participate in early childhood education and care
  • less than 9% of pupils should leave education and training early
  • at least 45% of 25-34 year-olds should have a higher education qualification

See the Council Resolution on a strategic framework for European cooperation and training for more information

How does cooperation take place?

Until 2025, the strategic framework maintains all existing peer learning methods between Member States and stakeholders. These include

  • Working Groups composed of experts nominated by Member States and key stakeholders
  • peer learning activities hosted by a Member State to showcase existing best practices at the national level or to explore a particular issue with other Member States
  • peer reviews involving a group of Member States providing guidance to another Member State on a specific national challenge
  • peer counselling bringing together experienced peers from a small number of national administrations to provide advice on designing or implementing a policy as a response to a specific national challenge

Learn more about the working groups

The Education and Training Monitor

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.

Find out more about the Education and Training Monitor

European Semester process

The analysis contained within the Education and Training Monitor feeds into the evaluation of broader socio-economic progress by Member States through the European Semester process.

Learn more about the European Semester

The European Education Summit

The European Education Summit also acts as a forum for Member States and stakeholders to cooperate and exchange best practices in education and training policy.