The new Action Programme in the field of Lifelong Learning 2007-2013 Salamanca, June 14 th 2006 Norbert Schöbel, DG EAC, Unit A1
Main goals of the Lisbon strategy The Union should become, by 2010 - the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world - capable of sustainable economic growth - with more and better jobs - and greater social cohesion
Political context (1) Economic changes The challenge Competition, globalization and knowledge- based economy More flexible and demanding labour market Social changes Demographical development More diverse society & need for social inclusion Wider Europe - a changing EU with new borders
Political context (2) Central role of education and training March 2000: Lisbon European Council: Most competitive knowledge-based economy March 2002: Barcelona European Council: European Union as World quality reference Bologna process (Declaration on higher education, June 1999) Bergen 2005 Copenhagen process (Declaration on vocational training, November 2002) - Maastricht 2004
Main policy steps February 2001: Education (Council) adopts a historical report on common future concrete objectives Agreement on 3 major goals (quality/efficiency; access; opening to wider world) & 13 specific objectives February 2002: Education (Council) adopts a detailed work programme (now called «Education & Training 2010») to implement common objectives Open Method of Coordination May 2003: adoption of 5 European Benchmarks (targets)
5 Benchmarks - Trend 2010 100 Progress in the 5 benchmarks (EU average) 90 80 70 2010 benchmarks = 100 60 50 40 30 20 10 0-10 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Year Low achievers in reading Early school leavers Upper secondary completion MST graduates LLL participation Required progress
5 Benchmarks Trend 2010 Benchmark 2000 Today (2005) Trend 2010 Bench -mark 2010 Likelihood of achieving the benchmark 1. Early school leavers, (%) 17.3 14.9 12 10 Low 2. MST graduates 650 000 755 000 (03) 1 070 000 (+45%) 750 000 (+15%) High (already achieved) 3. Youth education attainment (upper secondary %) 76.4 77.3 78 85 Low 4. Low achieving 15 year olds, reading, % 19.4 19.8 20-20% (15.5) Low 5. Participation in LLL, % of adults 7.9 10.8 11-12 12.5 Medium
The Action Programme in the field of Lifelong Learning (2007-2013) Experiences and conclusions The proposal What s new? Legislative timetable Implementation
The experience (1) Public consultation Great enthusiasm for programmes but much too bureaucratic, inflexible and over-complicated Programmes should develop European citizenship, language learning, and regional aspect Decentralised procedures simpler and more user friendly
The Experience (2) Interim Evaluations (Socrates, LdV): Coverage and focus valuable and appropriate with good results, but not well disseminated Administrative and financial procedures improved but still horrible Excessive detail in legislation Need more synergy and coherence between actions, programmes and policy
The Conclusions Continuity Substantial increase of resources: 2000-2006: 3935 million 2007-2013: 13620 million (cash prices) Separate internal and external programmes Simplify and make more flexible Integrated Programme for lifelong learning
The proposal - Structure Comenius School education Action Programme Erasmus Higher education & advanced training Leonardo da Vinci Initial and continuing VET Grundtvig Adult education Transversal programme 4 key activities Policy development; Language learning; ICT; Dissemination Jean Monnet programme 3 key activities Jean Monnet Action; European Institutions; European Associations
The proposal Generic actions Individual mobility Partnerships Projects and networks Operating grants, Reference material, Accompanying measures
The proposal - Budget Commission original proposal EUR 12 billion (2004 prices) EUR 13.62 billion in cash prices December figure EUR 5.4 billion (2004 prices) Revised figure EUR 6.2 billion (2004 prices) - EUR 7 billion in cash prices
The proposal - Budget Minimum budget shares: Comenius 13% Erasmus 40% Leonardo 25% Grundtvig 4%
The revised proposal: What s new? 1. Integrative approach / structure / focus 2. New actions under the sub-programmes Comenius-Regio Grundtvig mobility types Leonardo partnerships 3. Further simplifications: Simpler contracts; higher lump sums; cofinancing in kind; partnership agreements; NA support
Legislative timetable Commission Revised Proposal: 24 May 2006 Political Agreement in Council (June or July?) Common Position in Council (July or Sept?) Second Reading in Parliament (Oct-Nov?) Adoption or Conciliation? (end 2006?)
Preparing implementation Steering group Oversight / Coordination Information Simplification Stakeholder consultation groups Comenius Grundtvig Erasmus 1 Erasmus 2 (HE/Industry) Leonardo Policy Development Europass, NARICS, etc ICT Languages Valorisation Jean Monnet Implementation coordination group Operational documentation National Agencies Procedures and financial rules Informatic tools Pre-committee preceded by discussion on operational issues with Socrates Committee Leonardo Committee National Agencies
Preparing implementation Stakeholder groups advisory function Internal steering group coordination Internal documentary group drafting proposals for guidelines, app forms, etc Internal NA group drafting provisions Pre-committee to consider Commission proposals (first meeting 23 June) Converts to Programme Committee on adoption of Decision
WEB-LINKS New programme: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/newprog/index_de.html Education and Training: http://ec.europa.eu/education/index_en.html Compendium Education & Training 2010 - Main policy initiatives and outputs in education and training since the year 2000: http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/2010/doc/compendium05_en.pdf