Learning mobility for improved and robust education cooperation

July 21, 2023

3D Isometric Flat Vector Conceptual Illustration of Higher Education, College Education Study Process — Image © TarikVision | iStock

Open Access Government charts the priorities of the European Commission when it comes to learning mobility, including Erasmus+, plus stronger education cooperation with Ukraine

Earlier this year, Open Access Government provided an update on the European Commission’s support for innovation, research and education. We examined some of the priorities of Mariya Gabriel, the then European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. ⁽¹⁾ Before that, Mariya Gabriel kindly wrote a piece that examined education and training to improve education inclusivity across Europe. ⁽²⁾

An update on Mariya Gabriel

More recently, we heard that Commissioner Gabriel resigned from the Commission, effective from 15 May 2023. We discover that Executive Vice-President Vestager takes responsibility for innovation and research policy areas. ⁽³⁾

Mariya Gabriel is now in the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Bulgaria. ⁽⁴⁾ She is now tasked with the Bulgarian Government cabinet’s interrelations with the Nuclear Regulatory Agency, the State Agency for Child Protection, the Archives State Agency, plus the State Agency for Metrological and Technical Surveillance. ⁽⁵⁾

Understanding policy on learning mobility

But let’s take a step back to March 2023 when the European Commission opened a fresh Citizens’ Panel, in which citizens from the 27 Member States discussed how learning mobility could be made available to everyone in the EU. We know Erasmus+ and its predecessor programmes enable learning mobility for various levels of education, plus projects for young people, sports coaches and apprentices.

The former Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth said: “Learning mobility is crucial for a borderless and interconnected Europe and to achieve the European Education Area. This life-changing personal experience can be a powerful instrument to develop employability, skills and knowledge. ⁽⁶⁾

Erasmus+ in 2023

In March 2023, the Commission took forward a revised version of the Erasmus+ Annual Work Programme for 2023, with a budget of €4.43 billion that will underscore the Erasmus+ priorities concerning active citizenship and democratic participation, inclusion plus on digital and green transitions in the EU and beyond.

The former Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth said the 2023 Erasmus+ programme is being reinforced, especially concerning its support for the people of Ukraine who have fled their homeland.

Mariya Gabriel said: “We invite our Erasmus+ community to continue expressing the solidarity that they have already shown over the past year towards learners, educational staff, institutions and organisations impacted by the war in Ukraine.” ⁽⁷⁾

MSCA4Ukraine initiative

On this note, Open Access Government looked at the MSCA4Ukraine initiative earlier this year, which assists displaced researchers from Ukraine. It’s well worth jogging our memories about this important research initiative. ⁽¹⁾

“The MSCA4Ukraine initiative is yet another proof of our solidarity with the Ukrainian people. We are proud that 124 scientists will be able to continue their research work and will have access to training, skills and career development opportunities. It is our hope that they will be able to contribute to the reconstruction of their home country once the war is over,” Mariya Gabriel explained in February 2023. ⁽⁸⁾

Stronger Education cooperation with learning mobility

More recently, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, signed two Arrangements for Cooperation with Ukraine. An Arrangement for Cooperation on Education between the European Commission and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine was jointly signed in June 2023 by Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi and Vice-President Schinas.

This arrangement enables the Ukrainian authorities, invited by the Commission, to participate in peer learning activities and working groups within the European Education Area Strategic Framework. The Commission has also enabled access to the Eurydice Network so that the Ministry of Education and Science in Ukraine can obtain a deeper understanding of their cooperation in education, the respective education systems, and their cooperation in education.

Vice-President Schinas wants Ukrainians to take up the opportunities available via the Erasmus+ Programme, including stronger cooperation between schools and making the most of the Commission’s online platforms, particularly eTwinning which is a community for European educators and teachers online.

In June 2023, the Vice-President heralded the extension of Ukraine’s role in the EU’s flagship Erasmus+ programme. Indeed, the Commission wants Ukraine from 2024 to participate in international cooperation projects within Erasmus+ Capacity Building Actions in Youth and Sport. Let’s leave the last words to Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, who commented on the abovementioned areas and the cooperation’s health aspect.

“I am glad to be in Kyiv to express my full solidarity with the Ukrainian government and its people. Since the outbreak of the war, we have been providing continuous support and assistance to Ukrainians who stayed in their country or fled the war.

“We are taking new concrete steps together to further strengthen our cooperation in the fields of education and health for the benefit of Ukrainians and the EU. Both sectors are crucial to heal today’s damages and support the next generations. The challenges are numerous. But we are driven by an unwavering dedication to our shared goal: to help affected Ukrainians recover as soon as possible, and to continue to bring hope to the valiant people of Ukraine.” ⁽⁹⁾