In June 2025, the European Commission published the interim evaluation of the 2021-2030 strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training to assess progress made towards developing the European education area (EEA). The evaluation has provided input into the Council's review of the strategic framework, to inform potential adjustments for its second cycle (2026-2030). The evaluation highlighted the strategic framework's EU added value, noting its role in promoting shared priorities, EU level targets, European cooperation and national reforms, thereby laying the EEA's foundation during its first cycle (2021-2025). EU level cooperation also fostered the EU's resilience by bolstering its capacity to respond to crises. Moreover, the evaluation found that the EEA promoted a European dimension of education and training, including by enabling structured cooperation and facilitating mobility. During the evaluation consultations, Member States expressed their commitment to continuing their cooperation through the strategic framework. At the same time, the evaluation highlighted opportunities for improvement and suggested issues to be considered during the Council's review. These issues included increasing efforts to address persistent and emerging challenges, such as teacher shortages and underachievement in basic skills; considering citizenship education as a new priority in the strategic framework's next cycle; improving cross-sectoral coordination and alignment with the European Semester; strengthening governance structures and processes; and fostering monitoring to promote evidence-based policymaking in education and training. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP Read more