Policy

EFEE policy areas

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP

EFEE recognises importance of the effective leadership and management, which is of utmost importance in the European schools of the 21st century. Strong and effective leadership is a key driver for educational changes necessary for Europe where currently growth, competitiveness and social cohesion are among social and economic challenges. School leaders are an important stakeholder group as they are the link between school management and teachers, between different levels of education and training, families, the local community and the labour market. Therefore, EFEE acknowledges that open learning environments require the leaders of educational institutions to play an active role by providing a strategic vision for schools, a professional working environment for teachers and professors and an interesting learning community for pupils and students.

See Related EFEE Activities

INNOVATION MANAGEMENT

The pandemic and post-pandemic times have shown that there exists a variety of innovative pedagogies, projects, and other initiatives implemented in schools across Europe and beyond. However, there is still a need to create a system through which these innovative initiatives could better contribute to the development of each school when it comes to the quality of education it provides, its function, and management. Innovation and quality management in schools can be considered in the framework of implementing innovative pedagogies, promoting quality assurance and enhancing teachers’ professionalism, but also in the wider contexts of supporting inclusion and equity, promoting well-being, enhancing digital and green practices in education, and of thinking and acting based on the whole-school approach. 

See Related EFEE Activities

SOCIAL DIALOGUE

Social dialogue in education plays a vital role in fostering positive developments in the teaching profession by safeguarding working conditions and the quality of education for all, while addressing shared priorities such as teacher shortages, the digital transition, and climate change. The promotion of social dialogue has been at the core of the work of the education social partners since the establishment of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue in Education (ESSDE) in 2010. Covering all sectors of education, the ESSDE acts on employment and working conditions of all the stakeholders involved in the sector. In reviewing the effectiveness of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue, both ETUCE (European Trade Union Committee for Education) and EFEE have committed to monitoring and ensuring its continued effective functioning, maintaining the current institutional and financial support role of the European Commission.

See Related EFEE Activities

INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING

EFEE encourages investment in innovative teaching methodologies, such as integrating blended learning, which combines school-based and work-based elements within the same VET programs. Additionally, investing in micro credentials and embracing digitalisation in teaching can further enhance the accessibility and relevance of education. However, these investments must be utilised effectively. Simply increasing funding is not enough, what truly matters is how to maximise impact and improve educational outcomes. These resources spent on modernising school infrastructure or introducing new technologies must always be accompanied by training and support for teachers to integrate these tools effectively. Education employers should be supported in providing new technologies and training. This is the best way to ensure that the education sector keeps up with innovative teaching and digital advancement, particularly in automating administrative tasks.

See Related EFEE Activities

DIGITAL & green TRANSITIONS

EFEE emphasises the need to adapt educational systems to the digital transition, considering it a tool to drive innovation and improve learning outcomes. Digitalisation not only opens new opportunities for businesses and technologies but also contributes to a sustainable economy and strengthens democratic values. While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to digital learning, it also revealed significant challenges, particularly for those with limited access to digital tools. Building sustainable education systems serves as one of the ways to ensure good learning outcomes across Europe. It is fundamental for achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% as set by the European Commission. It likewise enhances labour productivity and stimulates innovation, particularly significant in the context of the digital and green transition.

See Related EFEE Activities

SKILLS PROVISION & DEVELOPMENT

The importance of reskilling and upskilling of workforce in the light of twin transition is key for strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. Mario Draghi’s report stresses skills shortage as one of the pressing issues in which vocational education and training can contribute to close the EU skills gap. Similarly, the report by Enrico Letta outlines new dimension of Single Market – addition of the fifth freedom of research and innovation. According to the report, the knowledge exchange leads to economic prosperity, social and cultural advancement. Interestingly, both reports call for the establishment of the Union of Skills and shifting skills provision to EU competencies.

See Related EFEE Activities

DEMOCRATIC SCHOOL STRUCTURES & INCLUSION IN EDUCATION

In view of the growing influx of migrants to Europe and the follow-up on the Paris Declaration, policymakers at European and national/regional levels should seek to strengthen the role of education in promoting citizenship and common values of tolerance and non-discrimination, while addressing migrants’ integration and inclusion in their host society. Citizenship education and education in European values have also gained importance due to the rise of Eurosceptic political parties in various European countries and at different levels of governance. These anti-democratic and Eurosceptic threats directly challenge EU values, including democracy, rule of law, tolerance, non-discrimination, solidarity, and subsidiarity.

See Related EFEE Activities

innovative &viable HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

Higher Education and Research in Europe is experiencing emerging transformations in terms of mobility, teacher’s working conditions, and distribution of universities in a frame of new trends and changes of global competition. Additionally, there are some transversal issues that concern, for instance, the implementation of digitalisation or non-formal providers entering this market. In this current context, newfound trends arise bringing different opportunities and needs. EFEE advocates for EU Higher Education to take the opportunity to be at the forefront of global research by developing world-leading research strategy and fulfilling its responsibility in ensuring that adults from diverse backgrounds and sectors acquire the essential skills and knowledge to foster resilient and competitive economies.

See Related EFEE Activities

VET AS A STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE

EFEE supports school-based VET as an opportunity to upskill and reskill in response to modern economic changes and market demands. School-based VET programmes offer several benefits, allowing students to explore various career options early on while being at school and identify their interests. In addition, EFEE recognises the particular importance of school-based VET in supporting workers coming from non-EU countries. As it provides the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to succeed in the EU labour market. EFEE advocates for maintaining school-based VET, considering the benefits it offers. Firstly, it allows students to learn systematically by gaining academic knowledge and practical skills while integrating both general education and vocational training. This approach ensures a foundation in both theory and hands-on training for future employability. Moreover, schools often have access to better educational resources, including experienced instructors and specialised equipment, which may not be available in some workplaces.

See Related EFEE Activities

ENSURING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY IN SCHOOLS

EFEE actively supports the introduction of risk assessment processes in schools. EFEE advocates to increase awareness of risk assessment tools in Europe and integrate occupational safety and health in the European Education Area. Providing sufficient support for educational institutions for risk assessments, as well as training for both employers and employees is likewise recommended to ensure health and safety at educational institutions. EFEE also encourages stakeholders to allocate more funding to facilitate the adaptation of these tools into a local/national/regional context, this will make them more accessible and practical for use in different countries.

See Related EFEE Activities

EUROPEAN EDUCATION AREA

The European Education Area (EEA) is a EU-wide initiative that brings together Member States in a shared mission to build more resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education and training systems. The EEA fosters mutual support through cooperation on reforms, pooling of expertise, and alignment of strategic goals to enhance education across all levels—early childhood, schools, vocational training, adult learning, and higher education .

To make this vision a reality, the EEA deploys Working Groups under its strategic framework (2021–2025). These voluntary platforms unite government officials, policy makers, stakeholder organisations, and EU representatives from across Europe. Together, they steer peer-learning and mutual exchange on key policy reforms—delivering tangible outputs like guidelines, policy recommendations, and learning materials. They also amplify synergies with related EU programmes like the Digital Education Action Plan, the European Skills Agenda, and the Green Deal.

The Working Groups cover a comprehensive set of themes essential for driving ambitious progress in education and training. EFEE is represented in all EEA Working Groups:

Early Childhood Education and Care
Schools, with sub-groups such as Pathways to School Success and Learning for Sustainability
Higher Education
Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the Green Transition
Adult Learning: Opening Up Opportunities for All
Digital Education: Learning, Training, and Assessment
Equality and Values in Education and Training

Activities related to EFEE policy areas

Effective management & leadership

EFEE & EEPN Project Partners Policy Recommendations on Careers and Professional Development of Teachers and School leaders (2019)
EFEE Report on Peer Learning Visit to Croatia “Supporting teachers, staff and leaders of education and training institutions: key for making change happen” (2019)
EFEE & EEPN Project Partners Desk Research Reports on making the careers of teachers and school leaders more attractive: 1) Good practices from practitioners and parents; 2) Good practices on policy advice and implementation; 3) Teacher recruitment, retention and motivation in Europe; 4) Ten most relevant European Commission funded projects for teachers’ and school leaders’ more attractive career paths (2019)

Innovative management

EFEE & ETUCE Project “e-Speed – European Social Partners in Education Embracing Digitalisation” (2020-2021)

EFEE policy areas

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP

INNOVATION MANAGEMENT

SOCIAL DIALOGUE

INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING

DIGITAL & green TRANSITIONS

SKILLS PROVISION & DEVELOPMENT

DEMOCRATIC SCHOOL STRUCTURES & INCLUSION IN EDUCATION

innovative &viable HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

VET AS A STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE

ENSURING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY IN SCHOOLS

EUROPEAN EDUCATION AREA

Activities related to EFEE policy areas

Effective management & leadership

Innovative management

Investment in Education and Training

Skills provision and development

Democratic School Cultures & Inclusion in Education

Innovative & viable higher education and research

VET as a strategic infrastructure

Ensuring occupational health & safety in schools

SUBSCRIBE TO EFEE'S NEWSLETTER