As a member of its Advisory Committee, EBC endorses the recent declaration issued by the Co-Chairs of the European Parliament Intergroup on the Future of Education and Skills for a Competitive Europe. With discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034 gaining momentum, EBC joins the call to place education and skills development at the heart of the EU’s strategic priorities.
The Intergroup, co-chaired by MEPs Victor Negrescu (S&D, Romania), Eleonora Meleti (EPP, Greece), Brigitte van den Berg (Renew, the Netherlands) and Nela Riehl (Greens/EFA, Germany), is the first parliamentary forum dedicated to the future of education and skills. It brings together Members of the European Parliament and stakeholders from across sectors to promote high-quality, inclusive and forward-looking learning systems that are crucial to meet the challenges of the green and digital transitions, labour shortages, and the need for lifelong learning.
In its latest declaration, the Intergroup advocates for a substantial increase in public investment across Member States, urging national governments to allocate at least 5% of GDP to education and at least 1% to training. At the EU level, the declaration calls for earmarking 20% of the next MFF to education and training, recognising the foundational role that skills development plays in securing long-term economic and social objectives.
The Intergroup also highlights the need to significantly boost the Erasmus+ programme, which has proven to be a transformative tool for European learners. Increased funding would enable broader participation, including for vocational education and training (VET), and reinforce the programme’s role in fostering a sense of European identity and belonging. In parallel, the declaration emphasises the importance of easing investment in education through more flexible fiscal rules and innovative financing mechanisms, which can empower individuals to access training opportunities throughout their careers. Finally, the Intergroup calls for a comprehensive approach that supports equity, innovation, and sustainability across all sectors of learning (formal, non-formal and informal) ensuring that no learner is left behind.
EBC supports the Intergroup’s appeal, in line with its ongoing commitment to strengthening skills in the construction sector and its collaboration with the Schuman Associates Skills coalition. Investing in people is essential to address labour shortages, support innovation, and contribute to Europe’s green and competitive future.
Read the full declaration by the Intergroup co-chairs here
