How we do it
The way ETF works can basically be described through the delivery of outputs relating to the core themes and the following functions:
Function 1 - Input to Commission sector programming and project cycle
Support to the European Commission in the design and deployment of external assistance to the partner countries in the framework of EU external policies and assistance programmes. More specifically, the ETF will provide country, regional and thematic background analyses to feed into EU programming, into IPA/ENP reporting exercises and into regional policy dialogue processes, such as the Eastern Partnership thematic platforms and the Union for the Mediterranean. At the request of relevant EC services, the ETF will provide inputs to the EC project cycle and sector policy support programme preparations.
Function 2 – Support to partner country capacity building
Support to partner countries to further build their capacity in quality policy development, policy in action and policy progress review. Capacity building includes dissemination of information, networking and exchange of experience and good practice between the EU and partner countries, between partner countries themselves and among different geographical regions will continue to be a priority.
Function 3 - policy analysis
Provision of evidence-based analysis on country or cross-country policy reforms to support informed decision-making on partner country policy responses. This will include development of national capacities for the provision of reliable data collection and analysis. As outlined above, this will include national, regional or sub-regional and thematic analysis.
Function 4 – dissemination and networking
Facilitation of exchanges of information and experience in the international community (agencies, regional platforms and councils, bilateral and international organisations and donors). This includes exchange of information, joint participation in conferences or workshops, development of joint research or analytical work, and peer review exercises.
Topics
Lifelong learning
Put simply, lifelong learning means that people can – and should have the opportunity to – learn throughout their lives.
Equality in education
Across the world, certain groups of people are still hard pressed to get the most out of their education and training system.
Education and business
Partnership between the worlds of work and education is a process that is set to become an integral part of how we go about developing education.
Employment
“Employment”: a better guidance contributes to broader economic and social well-being by easing the functioning of labour markets.
Skills recognition
Making qualifications transparent and easily readable, even across international frontiers, is a high priority for the ETF.
School and teacher development
Teachers are a critical factor in education reforms. The ETF takes therefore the role of schools and teachers seriously throughout its work.
Key competences
Focusing on key competences is one of the surest ways of keeping education and training relevant in a fast-changing environment.
VET Governance
Governance modes and models have a high correlation with the overall performance of education and training policies, influencing their strategic formulation and implementation.
