The EU Ministers of Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Ministers will be meeting in Brussels on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 November to prepare European programmes for the period 2028-2034.
Youth. The first day will be devoted to education and youth. The ministers will hold an exchange of views on the issue of ‘Strengthening resilience of young people through Erasmus+ (2028-2034)’.
The guidance note from the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU recalls the mobility programme’s ability to help young people forge cross-border links, create a sense of belonging to Europe and raise awareness of common European values, while 16 million young people have already taken part in Erasmus+. The discussion will also focus on ways of strengthening civic and democratic commitment, which is being undermined by the growing risk of disinformation.
During the breakfast, an informal debate will extend these exchanges by addressing the EU’s dialogue with young people.
To see the steering note from the Danish Presidency: https://aeur.eu/f/joo
Education. The education ministers will then be invited to “take note” of the progress made on a draft resolution on the second cycle of the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (2026-2030). The aim of this text is to establish the work priorities for the next five years with a view to the European Education Area.
Only one national reservation remains, concerning mobility in higher education. According to a source close to the matter, Hungary is blocking the agreement in connection with the Erasmus+ programme. No compromise could therefore be finalised before the EU Council.
The conclusions on education should therefore be presented under the sole responsibility of the Presidency (see EUROPE 13753/25).
The EU Council will also take note of a progress report on the negotiation of the draft Erasmus+ regulation for the period 2028-2034, to be presented by the Danish Presidency. It has already submitted two specific compromise proposals.
In July, the Commission proposed merging Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps to contribute to “a resilient, competitive and cohesive Europe” (see EUROPE 13683/5, 13678/28).
However, several provisions remain in square brackets, as they are linked to discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework as a whole.
To see the progress report on Erasmus+ 2028-2034: https://aeur.eu/f/jop
This will be followed by an exchange of views on the contribution of vocational education and training (VET) to economic competitiveness and resilience.
The Danish Presidency points out that skills shortages and declining enrolment in vocational courses, and that a better match between VET and the needs of the labour market would be beneficial.
The informal lunch will be devoted to mobility in initial and higher VET.
Culture and media. The second day will be devoted to culture, media and sport.
The relevant ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on the “strategic role” of culture, heritage and audiovisual works in defending European values and preserving democratic resilience. In particular, the project highlights the role of culture in promoting cohesion, civic participation and a sense of belonging.
To see the draft conclusions on the strategic role of culture: https://aeur.eu/f/joq
A second set of conclusions will deal with access to reliable news, as part of the ‘European Democracy Shield’ recently presented by the Commission (see EUROPE 13750/4, 13749/15), aimed at strengthening a free, independent and sustainable media sector.
“These EU Council conclusions precede the ‘Democracy Shield’. I expect that twenty-six Member States are in agreement, one Member State may see things differently”, indicated a European source on Wednesday 26 November, making it clear that, once again, Hungary is blocking the adoption of the text. The source stressed the importance of having reliable news in the face of the mass of ‘fake news’and of investing in media education.
To see the draft conclusions on access to reliable news: https://aeur.eu/f/jor
The ministers will also take note of progress on the proposal for an AgoraEU regulation for the period 2028-2034, which will bring together funding for culture, media and values.
To see the progress report on AgoraEU: https://aeur.eu/f/jos
Sport. Finally, there will be an exchange of views on the problems associated with the governance of international sports organisations, such as opaque decision-making procedures and the risks of corruption.
The ministers are also expected to approve a resolution updating the EU’s representation on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s Foundation Board.
To see the draft resolution on the WADA Foundation Board: https://aeur.eu/f/jot (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry with Mathieu Bion)