160th CoR Plenary Session (17 - 18 April 2024)

The European education area (EEA) is set to become a common space for quality inclusive education and lifelong learning across borders for all EU citizens. The work towards completing the EEA by 2025 has given fresh impetus to education and training policy at EU level. A midterm review of the EEA's implementation, based on the findings of the European Commission's 2022 progress report, is currently underway. In this context, the Commission and the Parliament are hosting a joint event on 10 October 2023.

The problem definition and problem drivers in the impact assessment (IA) appear to be well-supported by evidence. The IA provides a well-structured analysis of the existing situation and the likelihood for the problem to persist. The IA identifies the initiative's general and specific objectives, which appear to be specific, achievable, relevant and time-bound, but not measurable, as recommended by the Better Regulation Toolbox 'S.M.A.R.T.' criteria. The IA does not define more detailed operational objectives as recommended by the BRG; instead, it provides a list of performance monitoring indicators directly linked to the specific objectives. The IA provides a sufficient range and description of the policy options. It offers an assessment of the options and presents the intervention logic in a clear and transparent manner, where the options are linked to the problem drivers and the specific objectives and their drivers.

In a challenging environment marked by, among other issues, climate change and environmental degradation, the European economy is undergoing significant transformations. The green transition and the move towards sustainability, including the objective of achieving climate neutrality, are affecting how people live and work and changing skills requirements. Against this background, action is needed in the education and training sector to support the green transition and develop the sustainability competences of learners. Although there is increasing activity in education and training on the environment and sustainability, learning for sustainability is not yet a systematic feature of education policy and practice across Europe.

On 15 November 2023, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Council recommendation on a renewed learning mobility framework. The proposed recommendation, which is a key component of the European education area (EEA), aims to increase opportunities for learning mobility for everyone and invites the Member States to make learning mobility an integral part of all education and learning pathways. It also strives to make Europe as a learning destination even more attractive worldwide. To enhance mobility and make it more inclusive, the Commission proposes three new EU-level targets to be reached by 2030.