30 Stakeholders' common messages on the Erasmus for All programme

On 15 December, a coalition of 30 European networks gathering thousands of organizations in secondary and higher education, vocational education and training, youth, adult education and popular education adopted common messages on the future “Erasmus for All” programme. The coalition praises the proposed budget of 19 billion EUR while acknowledging that is a minimum allocation necessary to have a real impact in the current economic crisis and to match the ambitious targets of the Europe 2020 strategy. It also welcomes the commitment to simplify the programme. However it considers that some adjustments could be brought to the proposed Regulation in order to ensure a greater impact and European added value. This concerns the need to reinforce the lifelong learning dimension and the recognition of competences and skills gained through non-formal education, to strengthen the complementary aims of learning – active citizenship, social inclusion as well as employability. Furthermore, it is crucial to better acknowledge the importance of civil dialogue and civil society and the support to them. Read the press release!

 28 Stakeholders' view on the new programme for education, training and youth

 EUCIS-LLL position on the Commission proposal on the next multiannual financial framework

The European Commission published its proposal on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MMF) 2014-2020 on 29 June 2011. We very much welcome the proposal of the Commission to raise the budget allocated to Education and Culture by 68% (from 9,1 billion EUR to 15,2 billion EUR). We have now to follow carefully and closely discussions at Council and Parliament level.

All programmes (LLP, Youth, Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, etc.) will be merged into one entitled "Education Europe". EUCIS-LLL remains a bit skeptical about the idea of merging the different programmes under such heading. “Lifelong Learning” would have been much more appropriate as it covers education and training, non-formal and informal learning and reflects the overall policy goals of Europe 2020. Gina Ebner, EUCIS-LLL President, expressed concerns that it could be a step back in the conceptual approach.

EUCIS-LLL expects clarifications on what will happen with the sub-programmes, as from now, it seems that the Commission would like to concentrate on three transversal stands: mobility, partnerships, policy. The different sub-programmes of LLP (comenius, grundtvig...) should be kept in the future Education Europe programme. The DG EAC was waiting to see the MFF proposal before starting working on the architecture. There is still a big question mark on the share for each sector. EUCIS-LLL wish the programme continues to support lifelong learning strategies and is ready to help the Commission in its aim to rationalize and simplify access to the programme.

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Commission proposal on the MFF

EUCIS-LLL presse release on the MFF proposal, 4 July 2011

Press Release, Commissioner Vassiliou, 11 July 2011

 27 Stakeholders common vision on the future programmes

27 major stakeholders in education and training adopted a common position paper on their vision for the future of education, training and youth programmes. Entitled “Investing in People through Sustainable and Inclusive EU Programmes” the position paper proposes 4 key principles on the vision for the future programmes as well as 4 steps towards more effective programmes including an annex with recommendations for the next financial regulation.

Position paper “Investing in People through Sustainable and Inclusive EU Programmes”, April 2011

Annex: recommendations for the next financial regulation, April 2011

Campaign manifesto available in 10 languages!

We invite organisations as well as everyone willing to support stronger EU programmes in education, training and youth to send this letter to their relevant national Ministries and to their Permanent representations to the EU. The Multiannual financial framework will be published on 29 June 2011.

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This campaign is supported by 27 European organisations active in education, training and youth. Together they represent millions of learners, teachers, educators, youth workers, school heads or human resources professionals as well as thousands of schools, colleges, universities, adult education centers, youth centers and associations across Europe.

 EUCIS-LLL Position paper on the future of the Lifelong Learning Programme

Although three Separate impact assessments (Erasmus Mundus, Youth in Action, Lifelong Learning Programme) have been launched to support the proposal for a next generation of programmes, a coordinated approach is taken by the Commission to ensure that they contribute together to Europe 2020 and Youth on the Move in the most relevant, effective and efficient way. We would like to contribute to that reflection on the basis of our experience of the programmes, mainly Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action. Of course, some of our recommendations apply to other programmes too.

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EUCIS-LLL Position paper on the future of the Lifelong Learning Programme, January 2011

 2010 Stakeholders' Forum on the future of the Programmes

EUCIS-LLL co-organises Stakeholders Forums with the DG EAC in order to allow the broad consultation of stakeholders on the definition and implementation of the E&T work programme. In 2010, the Stakeholders' Forum dealt with the future of the Lifelong Learning, Youth in Action and Erasmus Mundus programmes. It was organised by the DG EAC and EUCIS-LLL in partnership with the European Youth Forum. Participants agreed on common messages for the future programmes.

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Stakeholders' Forum