In accordance with its mid-term perspective, the ETF provides assistance to Turkey in reforms of education and training systems that adopt a lifelong learning perspective and in developing links with the labour market in the context of new EU external assistance programmes. The ETF’s strategy for Turkey - as a candidate country for EU accession - will aim at contributing to the efficient and effective implementation of IPA assistance in the field of HCD, with a focus on improving the capacity of Turkish authorities to develop and implement policies through the facilitation of policy dialogue and debate.

The ETF will continue to build on established networks of relevant partners, including public institutions, social partner organisations, donors, and NGOs. It will also contribute to capacity building for the implementation of education and employment policies. In line with overall priorities, ETF support includes: policy advice, information collection and analysis, the promotion of best practice exchanges with other countries in the region and with EU Member States through peer learning activities, and the enhancement of donor coordination to ensure synergy and complementary actions and the development of innovations/learning projects, whose results will contribute to the formulation of reform strategies.

The ETF intervention strategy is through facilitating policy learning to consolidate the outcomes of existing or completed projects, to ensure that policy proposals are taken forward and embedded in the national system, and to enable Turkish policymakers and stakeholders to take responsibility for reform.