/// EUCIS-LLL NEWS ///
EUCIS-LLL reaction to the Commission’s Communication on “Rethinking Education”
The release of the Commission’s Communication on “Rethinking Education: Investing in Education for better socio-economic outcomes” reflects the political necessity to give a new conceptual framework to emerging key challenges in education and training. If EUCIS-LLL agrees that it is timely to reflect upon how education and training systems can contribute to economic recovery, it nevertheless regrets the very narrow approach taken in the document, notably in terms of competences. EUCIS-LLL invites EU institutions to adopt a broader, more ambitious and forward-looking strategy that would cover formal, non-formal and informal learning in a life-wide and learner-centred approach. EUCIS-LLL also stresses the need for more coherence within the whole package and for a clear implementation roadmap. Read our full position.
EUCIS-LLL calls for structural support of civil society organisations
While elaborating the next funding programme for education, training, youth and sport for 2014-2020 called Erasmus for all (or YES Europe by the European Parliament), the European Commission’s Directorate General for Education and Culture decided to replace operating grants by project-based funding. Over and above the threat that it represents for the daily work of European organisations, this funding scheme reduces them to service providers by narrowing the scope of their activities to very specific EU objectives and kills their political independence. To maintain and strengthen the partnership approach EUCIS-LLL calls on the Council to endorse the position of the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee supporting the reintroduction of operating grants in Erasmus for All/YES Europe Programme. Discover our latest press release.
EUCIS-LLL, Access to Culture and Culture Action Europe release a joint position
EUCIS-LLL, Access to Culture and Culture Action Europe are pleased to release a joint paper on the need to build synergies between education and culture strategies and policies at EU level. Culture and education are closely intertwined all along our citizens’ life. The cultural sector represents a world of thousands of opportunities to learn, be they formal, non-formal or informal. The outcomes of these practices are more and more acknowledged in educational systems and beyond, and ought to be better exploited. Read here the position paper.
2013 Civil Society Day – “As European as we can get!”
On March 6, EUCIS-LLL participated in the Civil Society Day, focused on Citizenship & Participatory democracy. Many issues were raised regarding the gap that currently exists between the EU and its citizens notably as regards the choices that are made to answer the crisis (see the latest Flash Eurobarometer – “Europeans’ Engagement in Participatory Democracy”). Participants specifically evoked the issue of financing civil dialogue. Check out the press release on the importance of civil society to legitimise EU’s decisions.
Early-bird registration for EUCIS-LLL Annual Conference – 14th May, Vilnius (Lithuania)
It is still time for early-bird registration for the next EUCIS-LLL Annual Conference on “Rethinking Learning: Transversal competences in the spotlight” that will take place on 14 May in Vilnius, Lithuania and be followed by its General Assembly on 15 May. Find all details on our website.
/// NEWS FROM MEMBERS AND PARTNERS ///
Upcoming EUCIS-LLL Members’ Annual Conferences
The 4th FEDEC (European Federation of Professional Circus Schools) Internal Conference will take place in Copenhagen from 20 to 23 March 2013 in. Find more information on FEDEC website. Among many other activities, a conference on circus arts education with a focus on Denmark and Nordic countries will be held. EUROCLIO (the European Association of History Educators) is also organising its Annual Conference on the theme: “Reflecting Remembrance, Teaching history for a Common Culture of Remembrances?” on 7-13 April in Erfurt.
EURASHE’s reports on Recognition of Prior Learning & Employability
EURASHE (the European Association of Institutions in Higher Education) just released a Report of its Seminar on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Flexible Ties within Higher Education, held on 13-14 December 2012 in Prague (Czech Republic) and a Report of its Roundtable on Employability organised on 7 February 2013 in Brussels (Belgium).
SOLIDAR & EVBB policy briefing: “Work-based Vocational Training: a model for Success?”
To help ratify the discrepancy between youth unemployment and the job opportunities available, the European Association of Institutes for Vocational Training (EVBB) supported by SOLIDAR, has developed policy recommendations launched during the experts meeting in the European Parliament hosted by Mary Honeyball (MEP, UK) on 5 March 2013. Experts notably recommended improving the compatibility, transparency and mobility of VET in Europe by making a better use of existing tools such as EUROPASS or ECVET, as well as EU programmes promoting VET. Read all recommendations and the full briefing in English or German.
A Social Network for professionals in childcare services
NEST is a European project with the aim of establishing a network in the field of staff development in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in Europe. The partnership published a project newsletter (available also in German, Hungarian, Italian, Spanish and Greek) to share the results achieved and to invite interested parties to join the NEST community to reach fellow ECEC professionals working with children, trainers and institutions of ECEC staff development, as well as researchers focusing on these areas.
New Community Website for Teachers – Consumer Classroom
Consumer Classroom is a new collaborative website for teachers from across the EU, providing quality resources and interactive tools to equip 12-18 year olds with the practical consumer skills they need for real life. The website is EU funded and aims to stimulate consumer education in secondary schools.
/// INSTITUTIONAL NEWS ///
Erasmus for All: trialogue meeting
On 19 March a new session of trialogue negotiations will take place between the Irish presidency, the Parliament and DG EAC representatives on the next funding programme Erasmus for all/YES Europe. The outcomes will certainely be discussed at the Education Committee to be held on 21 March. The Stakeholders’ Coalition set up by EUCIS-LLL and the European Youth Forum is currently working on new recommendations for the Commission to improve the future users’ guide of the programme. Read also the latest EUCIS-LLL press release published on 14 March on equity between sectors regarding the allocation of operating grants.
European Parliament rejects long-term EU budget
The European Parliament rejected on 13th of March the Council’s position on the next EU multiannual financial framework (MFF) (2014-20) in their current form. While accepting the overall ceiling agreed by EU leaders on 8th of February, MEPs want more flexibility and efficiency within the budget. Read the European Parliament’s press release. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said on the same day in a press conference that no sacrifice should be made in vital areas such as innovation and education. Read our position on investing in education and training for growth and jobs and our first estimations of the February European Council MFF discussion’s outcomes for the education sector (members only).
Launch of the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs
On March 4th the Commission launched its Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs. This Coalition of Europe’s digital businesses, governments, training and education sectors aims to address up to 900 000 job vacancies expected to exist in Europe in ICT by 2015. Initial commitments from stakeholders have been endorsed with over 15 companies and organisations signing up to the Grand Coalition. Among the first pledges to come to life is a new online learning platform (the Academy Cube) and a new training module for energy smart grid installers.
‘eTwinning Plus’ expended to connect schools outside the EU
The European Commission’s ‘eTwinning’ network, which has encouraged 100 000 schools in 33 European countries to talk to each other via the internet, is extended from March 4 to schools in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Check the Commission’s press release. Thanks to this tool, those countries will be able to join a massive virtual classroom in which pupils and teachers can learn more about their peers, enter into an intercultural dialogue or take part in interactive projects focused on language learning or maths, for instance.
/// RESEARCH & INNOVATION ///
ESN – Erasmus Impact Study coming soon
ESN, the Erasmus Student Network, together with CHE Consult (DE), Brussels Education Services (BE) and the Compostela Group of Universities (ES), will carry out an impact study on the Erasmus programme on students, staff, institutions and business. Read more.
EDEN’s VISIR Project: 2nd Stakeholders Consultation Launched
The VISIR project – “Vision, Scenarios, Insights and Recommendations” aims to develop a shared vision on how ICT may help making lifelong learning a reality. The 2nd survey of the project invites you to discuss how ICT can contribute to a set of key policy objectives in the field of learning. Participation only takes 15 minutes. Consultation is available in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. Results of the first consultation “What are the most relevant factors of change and how do they affect LLL?” are downloadable (executive summary or full paper).
Eurobarometer: Citizens and Participatory Democracy
A Eurobarometer survey on Citizens and Participatory Democracy shows that European citizens believe that NGOs are likely to influence decision-making at local and national level (75% and 70% respectively) and a bit less the level of the EU (53%). People are involved in and/or trust their community organisations. However the study reveals a gulf between the north and the south of Europe, the latter being more sceptical about the interest of NGOs.
/// EU FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ///
Call for proposals – Tempus IV
TEMPUS supports the reform of higher education through international university cooperation in the EU’s surrounding area. Deadline 26 March 2013. See call EACEA/35/12 here.
Calls for tenders – Collection and review of skill mismatch policies and practices in the EU
The purpose of the contract is to identify, review and analyse 2 types of policies aimed at mitigating skill mismatch in EU Member States and Croatia. Deadline 2 April 2013. For the full call, check CEDEFOP’s website.
Call for tenders – Work-based learning approaches in continuing vocational education and training in Europe: practices and policies
The purpose of this contract is to provide a description of the landscape of work-based learning in CVET in Europe; and to identify priorities and insights for effective VET policies. Deadline 15 April 2013. For the full call, check CEDEFOP’s website.
Call for proposals – Erasmus Mundus Partnerships and promotion of European Higher Education
Deadline 15 April 2013. See call EACEA/38/12 here.
Call for proposals – Action 3.2 — Youth in the world: Cooperation with countries other than the neighbouring
Application until May 14, See call EACEA/10/13 here.
Call for proposals – joint mobility and degree projects
The 2012 ICI (Industrialised Countries Instrument)-ECP Call for Proposals supports co-operation with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea by means of Joint Degree projects (JDP) and Joint Mobility projects (JMP). Deadline for application is May 15 2013.
Call for proposals – Intra-ACP academic mobility scheme
Projects under this call for proposals should be aimed at increasing cooperation between higher education institutions in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific to improve access to quality education in those regions and the attractiveness of those institutions. The broader objective is to promote sustainable development and combat poverty through skills upgrade and human capital investment. Deadline for application is 10 June 2013.
Youth in Action Programme
Application forms for permanent calls for proposals 2013
/// PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ///
Survey on the performance of the PROGRESS programme
PROGRESS is the EU employment and social solidarity programme established to support the implementation of EU objectives in the fields of employment, social affairs and equality and to contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy. It launches an internet-based survey designed to collect data on the performance of the programme. You are invited to participate in the survey by filling out the questionnaire which should take approximately 15 minutes.
/// AGENDA ///
14-15 May 2013: EUCIS-LLL General Assembly and Annual Conference, Vilnius (Lithuania).
More events on our website!
