Education and Training policy

Education is an important policy for the EU. Lifelong Learning operates as a guideline for the development of education and training policy, it is a core element of the Jobs and Growth Strategy and works to improve people's adaptability and employability. It includes learning for personal, civic, social and employment-related purposes and can take place inside or outside the formal education and training systems.

For the period 2007-2013, an Integrated Action Programme will gather the field of education under the budgetary heading Competitiveness for Growth and Employment.

The Integrated Programme is comprised of four specific programmes:

• Comenius for general education activities concerning schools up to and including the upper secondary level;

• Erasmus for education and advanced training activities at the higher education level;

• Leonardo da Vinci for all remaining aspects of vocational education and training;

• Grundtvig for adult education

Additionally, the proposal incorporates a transversal programme incorporating four key cross-cutting activities that cover areas of policy development, language learning and ICT-related activities and dissemination at community level as well as regional and sectoral level that fall outside the guidelines of all other policies, and the dissemination of results. The proposal also incorporates the Jean Monnet programme that supports actions related to European integration and European institutions and associations acting in the field of education and training.

More information:
DG Education and Training